Can Someone Put Me on Speaker Phone Without My Knowledge in Arizona?

Being placed on speakphone is certainly irritating, but is it illegal?

You're discussing a private matter on the phone with a friend, when suddenly, you hear a strange echo. Surprise, you're on speaker phone. It may be unethical, but it's not against the law.

Legality

It is not illegal, in any state, to place a call on speakerphone without the other party's permission. Furthermore, Arizona is a one-party consent state. Not only can they place you on speaker without your permission, they can also record the conversation.

Ethics

Although it isn't illegal, placing a caller on speaker phone without their consent certainly raises a few ethical questions, particularly in the workplace. Take for example Federal HIPAA laws, which attempt to ensure patient privacy while under the care of a health professional. Asking a patient's permission before placing their call on speaker is an absolute must in order to protect their privacy. Many companies, medical and otherwise, have policies regarding the use of speakerphone or "call monitoring" for business conversations.

Additional Arizona Phone Laws

While the majority of states abide by the federal "one party consent" rule, Arizona has made a unique addendum to this policy. In Arizona, a phone service subscriber can "intercept" or record conversations without being a party to the conversation or the consent of any party involved in the call.

References

• Call Corder: United States Telephone Recording Laws
• Arizona State Legislature: 13-3012