Yes, two-party consent recording is legal in Costa Rica, but only under strict conditions outlined in the Ley de Protección de la Persona frente al Tratamiento de sus Datos Personales (Law No. 8968) and regulated by the Agencia de Protección de Datos de los Habitantes (PRODHAB). Recordings are permitted if at least one party to the conversation consents, aligning with the “one-party consent” principle under Article 25 of the law. However, surreptitious recording without any party’s knowledge violates privacy rights and may incur civil or criminal penalties under Articles 196–198 of the Penal Code.
Key Regulations for Two-Party Consent Recording in Costa Rica
- One-Party Consent Dominance: Costa Rican law permits recording if any participant in the conversation consents, even if others are unaware. This deviates from strict two-party consent, as clarified in PRODHAB’s 2023 Guía de Buenas Prácticas en Grabaciones.
- Prohibition on Third-Party Interception: Recording communications where the recorder is not a participant (e.g., eavesdropping) is illegal under Article 196 of the Penal Code, punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment.
- Data Protection Compliance: Recordings containing personal data must adhere to Ley 8968, requiring explicit purposes, minimal retention periods, and secure storage. PRODHAB’s 2026 draft amendments may introduce stricter consent documentation requirements for commercial recordings.