You Want To Secretly Record Someone in Montana? It’s Risky

You might want to be careful with this because you could be in deep trouble.

Montana has many laws that even locals aren't aware of. This ranges from squatter's rights to weird laws to whether cannibalism is legal.

We are a wild state.

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Most of these laws or rights are unique or fun to discuss, but some can save you.

What about when it comes to privacy?

That's where things can get a little messy.

If you see someone recording in public, that is perfectly legal. You can be recorded without permission if you are on public property. So don't freak out if you see someone filming themselves in downtown Bozeman or hiking on a trail.

What about phone calls? That's more clear-cut.

Montana is a two-party consent state if you are conversing with someone in person or on the phone. That means you need permission from the other party to record them. You can't record them without their knowledge.

If you violate this law, you could end up with a hefty fine or, in some cases, jail time.

Why is this so important?

If you want someone to incriminate themselves for a video or a legal case, you could do more harm than good recording the other party without their knowledge.

It's unclear if you can record someone from a one-party consent state, but you should ask for permission to cover yourself.

This information is crucial to know while living in Montana. If someone records your conversation or phone call without your permission, you can report them and see them face the consequences.

Be careful, Montana.