Yes, hidden cameras in your home are generally legal in Arkansas, provided they comply with state and federal wiretapping laws.
Arkansas is a one-party consent state under Ark. Code Ann. § 5-60-120, meaning you may record conversations or activities where you are a participant without notifying others. However, hidden cameras in private spaces like bathrooms or bedrooms violate Arkansas’s invasion of privacy statutes (Ark. Code Ann. § 5-16-101 et seq.). The Arkansas Attorney General’s Office has emphasized enforcement against surreptitious recording in areas where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy, including rental properties under local housing ordinances. As of 2026, the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing is reviewing proposed amendments to Ark. Code Ann. § 18-16-105, which may impose stricter penalties for unauthorized surveillance in multi-unit dwellings.
Key Regulations for Hidden Cameras in Your Home in Arkansas
- One-Party Consent Rule: Recording is legal if at least one participant (e.g., the homeowner) consents, but this does not extend to areas where privacy is expected, such as bathrooms or bedrooms.
- Prohibition in Private Spaces: Hidden cameras are illegal in locations where individuals have a “reasonable expectation of privacy,” including rental units under local housing codes enforced by municipal authorities.
- Federal Overlap: Compliance with the federal Wiretap Act (18 U.S.C. § 2511) is required; recordings cannot be used for criminal or tortious purposes, as outlined in recent guidance from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.