Hidden Camera Laws by State 2026 | Legal Guide

Last Updated: May 2026

Federal Law Overview

At the federal level, the United States does not have a single, comprehensive hidden camera law. Instead, several federal statutes and constitutional principles apply:

• Video Voyeurism Prevention Act (18 U.S.C. § 1801) — Makes it a federal crime to capture images of a person’s private areas without consent in circumstances where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.
• Federal Wiretap Act (18 U.S.C. § 2511) — Primarily governs audio recording. Requires at least one-party consent for audio interception at the federal level.
• Fourth Amendment — Protects against unreasonable government surveillance; relevant when law enforcement uses hidden cameras.

General Legal Principles

✅ Generally Legal

• Video recording in your own home (living room, kitchen, entryway, nursery)
• Recording your own property exterior
• Using visible security cameras in your business (with signage in some states)
• Nanny cams in common areas of your home

❌ Generally Illegal

• Recording in any area where someone has a reasonable expectation of privacy (bathrooms, bedrooms of guests, locker rooms, changing areas)
• Recording someone undressing without their knowledge or consent
• Recording audio without proper consent (varies by state — see below)
• Installing cameras in someone else’s home or property without authorization
• Using hidden cameras for harassment, stalking, or blackmail

One-Party vs. Two-Party Consent (Audio)

One of the most important distinctions in hidden camera law is about audio recording:

• One-Party Consent States: You can legally record a conversation you are part of, or if one person in the conversation consents. The majority of U.S. states follow this rule.
• Two-Party (All-Party) Consent States: ALL parties must agree to be recorded. Recording audio without everyone’s knowledge is illegal.

Two-Party Consent States (as of 2026)

The following states generally require all-party consent for audio recording:

• California
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Vermont
• Washington

If you’re in a two-party consent state: Either disable audio recording on your hidden camera, or ensure all parties are informed that audio is being captured.

State-by-State Hidden Camera Laws

Below is a general reference for hidden camera legality by state. Laws change frequently — always verify with a local attorney or your state legislature’s website.

State	Video in Own Home	Audio Consent	Notes
Alabama	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Alaska	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Arizona	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Arkansas	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
California	✅ Legal	Two-Party	Strict audio laws; Cal. Penal Code § 632
Colorado	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Connecticut	✅ Legal	Two-Party	All-party consent required
Delaware	✅ Legal	Two-Party	All-party consent required
Florida	✅ Legal	Two-Party	Fla. Stat. § 934.03
Georgia	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Hawaii	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Idaho	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Illinois	✅ Legal	Two-Party	720 ILCS 5/14-2; among the strictest
Indiana	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Iowa	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Kansas	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Kentucky	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Louisiana	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Maine	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Maryland	✅ Legal	Two-Party	Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 10-402
Massachusetts	✅ Legal	Two-Party	Very strict; all-party consent required
Michigan	✅ Legal	Two-Party	MCL § 750.539c
Minnesota	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Mississippi	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Missouri	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Montana	✅ Legal	Two-Party	All-party consent required
Nebraska	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Nevada	✅ Legal	Two-Party	NRS § 200.620
New Hampshire	✅ Legal	Two-Party	All-party consent required
New Jersey	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
New Mexico	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
New York	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
North Carolina	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
North Dakota	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Ohio	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Oklahoma	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Oregon	✅ Legal	Two-Party	ORS § 165.540
Pennsylvania	✅ Legal	Two-Party	18 Pa.C.S. § 5704; very strict
Rhode Island	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
South Carolina	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
South Dakota	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Tennessee	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Texas	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Utah	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Vermont	✅ Legal	Two-Party	All-party consent required
Virginia	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Washington	✅ Legal	Two-Party	RCW § 9.73.030; very strict
West Virginia	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Wisconsin	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Wyoming	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment
Washington D.C.	✅ Legal	One-Party	Standard federal alignment

Special Situations

Airbnb & Vacation Rentals

• Hosts: Must disclose all cameras in their listing. Cameras in private spaces (bedrooms, bathrooms) are strictly prohibited under Airbnb policy and most state laws.
• Guests: Generally should not install cameras in a rental property without the host’s permission. Check local laws.

Workplace Monitoring

• Employers can generally use video surveillance in common areas (lobbies, warehouses, break rooms)
• Many states require notice to employees about surveillance
• Recording in restrooms, changing areas, or private offices without consent is generally illegal
• Union workplaces may have additional restrictions

Domestic & Family Use

• Parents can generally use hidden cameras to monitor their own children and caregivers in their own home
• In divorce or custody disputes, secretly recorded footage may have legal complications — consult an attorney
• Recording a spouse without their knowledge may be illegal in some states

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Bottom line: Video recording for security in your own space is broadly legal. Audio recording is where laws get complicated. When in doubt, consult a lawyer in your state, and always respect other people’s reasonable expectation of privacy.

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