Yes, Rhode Island’s two-party consent law permits recording conversations only with all participants’ knowledge and consent.
Under Rhode Island General Laws § 11-35-21, state courts have consistently interpreted this statute to require every party to a conversation to agree before any recording occurs. Violations constitute felony wiretapping, punishable by up to five years imprisonment and $10,000 in fines. The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Cybercrimes Unit actively monitors compliance, particularly in digital communications post-2024 amendments expanding penalties to include cloud-based recordings. Out-of-state callers must also comply if the conversation originates or terminates in Rhode Island, per the First Circuit’s 2023 ruling in United States v. Cassidy.
Key Regulations for Two-Party Consent Recording in Rhode Island
- All-Party Consent Mandate: § 11-35-21 criminalizes recording without explicit consent from every participant, regardless of context (in-person or electronic).
- Digital & Cloud Storage Restrictions: 2024 amendments to § 11-35-22 criminalize storing or transmitting illegally recorded communications, including those archived in cloud services.
- Enforcement by AG’s Office: The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Cybercrimes Unit enforces violations, with recent 2026 directives prioritizing investigations into workplace and telehealth recordings.