Audio recording devices and hidden listening devices can be your ears when you’re not there. In situations where a camera might be spotted, you can disguise your audio device as a simple USB drive, or even hide a recorder somewhere in a room with months of standby time, waiting for the sound of voices to activate recording.
College Students Take Note
A number of professors get irritated at having their lectures recorded, however, unless you are a note-taking machine, you’re going to miss important information when your prof is a motor-mouth. Using what looks like USB drive on your laptop, or a fob for your car keys is a perfect, discreet way to get the information you need, while not getting your professor or TA annoyed.
Medical Appointments
Keeping track of everything said in medical appointments is rough, especially when you are sick, in pain, dealing with a chronic condition, or acting as a caretaker for a child or adult. Recording the consultation lets you “replay” the conversation, and formulate better questions to ask your doctor and to facilitate your research.
Staying within the Law
There are several different laws in different states that apply to hidden listening devices and their uses. States can require the consent of both parties to recording a telephone call, and some extend that consent to any private conversation. In other states, it’s lawful to record a conversation or private communication as long as you are one of the parties in the communication. In almost all cases, being a third party of the intended communication and recording the communication between two or more people without their consent or knowledge could land you in a big mess. If you are considering the use of a hidden listening device, you should get sound legal advice beforehand.