Can You Legally Record Someone in Michigan Without Them Knowing?

Back in the day, if you wanted to record video of someone, you had to have one of those giant camcorders that used VHS tapes.

As time went on, they got better and more compact, so you could easily carry them around and record video.

Now you can record incredible video in 4K on most smartphones.

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I've always been under the impression that if you wanted to record someone in public, you had to get their permission, and if they told you no, you could get in trouble if you posted it online.

Turns out that's not exactly the case here in Michigan.

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Video Recording Laws In Michigan

So what are you allowed to do in Michigan when it comes to recording video of people and not break the law?

In Michigan, there isn't a specific law that outright bans recording video in public places.

Generally, you can record video in public spaces where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.

This typically includes:

• Public streets and sidewalks
• Parks and other publicly accessible land
• Public meetings
• Police officers performing their duties in public

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Things You Can't Record In Michigan

There are some things you can't record in Michigan, and if you do, it could land you in hot water.

Those things include:

• Audio Recording: Michigan is an "all-party consent" state for recording "private conversations." What that means is that to legally record an audio conversation, everyone involved must consent.

• Trespassing: If you are on private property without permission, recording, even if of something visible from public land, could get you in trouble.

In Michigan, you're generally free to record video in public spaces, but you must be mindful of audio recording laws and avoid recording on private property without permission.

If you have any other Michigan law questions you might just find the answers below.