Yes, One-party consent recording is legal in Costa Rica under the Ley de Protección de la Persona frente al Tratamiento de sus Datos Personales (Law No. 8968) and the Código Penal (Penal Code). The 2023 amendments to the Penal Code explicitly permit recording conversations if at least one participant consents, aligning with constitutional privacy protections. However, unauthorized disclosure or use of such recordings may trigger civil or criminal liability under data protection statutes.
Key Regulations for One-Party Consent Recording in Costa Rica
- Consent Requirement: Article 22 of Law No. 8968 mandates that recordings must not infringe on the “honor, dignity, or fundamental rights” of non-consenting parties. Implied consent suffices if the recording occurs in a context where privacy expectations are minimal (e.g., public spaces).
- Data Protection Compliance: The Agencia de Protección de Datos de los Habitantes (PRODHAB) enforces strict rules on storage and dissemination. Recordings containing personal data must comply with Principios de Minimización (data minimization) and Finalidad (purpose limitation).
- Criminal Liability: Article 196 of the Penal Code criminalizes recordings obtained through “fraud, violence, or abuse of trust,” even if one party consents. Courts assess intent and context; recordings for blackmail or defamation face severe penalties.