Recording Laws for Veterinary AI Scribes

U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand & European Countries

AI scribes rely on recorded conversations to generate accurate medical notes. But recording rules differ across jurisdictions, and penalties for getting it wrong can be serious. This guide provides an at-a-glance table for all U.S. states, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and European countries to help clinics plan compliant workflows.

Important: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change and can be nuanced (different rules for in-person vs. phone/electronic, “private places,” cross-border calls, etc.). Always verify with local statutes and counsel before setting policy.

How to Read These Tables

• One-party consent: A participant in the conversation can record without informing others (usage/disclosure may still be restricted).
• All-party consent: Everyone must consent before recording a private conversation.
• Mixed / special: Rules vary by context (e.g., in-person vs. telephone; “private place” definitions; notice requirements).
• Best practice: When in doubt—especially for cross-border/telemedicine—follow the stricter jurisdiction and announce recording at the start.

🇺🇸 United States — Recording Laws by State

The table below summarizes baseline consent rules for private conversations. Some states have nuanced exceptions. Use this as a starting point and confirm details locally.

🇨🇦 Canada — Recording Laws by Province/Territory

Canadian law generally allows one-party consent to record a conversation: if you are a participant, you may record without informing others. However, provincial privacy and health information laws may impose stricter requirements in clinical or professional contexts. As always, announce recording where possible.

🇦🇺🇳🇿 Australia & New Zealand — Recording Laws

Australia and New Zealand have state/territory-specific laws that differ on whether one-party consent is enough or all-party consent is required. Clinics should pay close attention to local statutes and always announce recording in medical settings.

🇪🇺 Europe — Participant Recording by Country

European regimes layer national criminal/ePrivacy laws over GDPR. Many countries allow participant (one-party) recordings, but disclosure/use may be restricted. A few require all-party consent for private speech. Sector rules (e.g., health) and DPIA/notice obligations can also apply.

*Non-EU countries shown for practical reference because many clinics interact with clients across these jurisdictions.

Practical Clinic Checklist

• Consent line: “With your permission, we record this visit to create an accurate medical record.” Capture a verbal “OK.”
• Signage: Post clear notice at the front desk and exam rooms where required.
• Cross-border: Apply the stricter rule and always announce recording.
• Data protection: Define retention, access controls, and deletion schedules for recordings and transcripts.
• Documentation: Add consent and retention language to your intake forms and SOPs.