Draft · 4 September 2026 · version 0.1
Recording consent
Common Room writes down what is said in a room and keeps it. In most places you must tell people before you do that. In some places every person must agree. Here are the words, and a table by place.
The words to say
Say this before the meeting starts, and the room shows it to every guest at the door:
English · "This room writes down what is said and keeps it for the people in it. By staying, you agree. Say no, and I stop."
繁體中文 · 「這個房間會把大家說的話寫下來，並為房間裡的人保存。留下來即表示同意。說『不』，我就停止。」
简体中文 · “这个房间会把大家说的话写下来，并为房间里的人保存。留下来即表示同意。说‘不’，我就停止。”
Three rules that hold everywhere: say it before you start, not after. If anyone says no, do not record, or let them leave first. Keep what you recorded safe, and give a copy to a person who asks for their own words.
By place
| place | who must agree | what to do |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | Tell people. A person in the conversation may record it. The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance covers what you keep. | say the words; keep the record safe |
| Singapore | Tell people and get their agreement for personal data (PDPA). A person in the conversation may record it. | say the words; a nod is enough, a written yes is better for business use |
| Malaysia | Tell people (PDPA 2010). A person in the conversation may record it. | say the words |
| Mainland China | Tell people and get clear agreement (PIPL). A voice is treated as sensitive personal information. | say the words and get a clear yes from each person |
| Taiwan | Tell people (Personal Data Protection Act). A person in the conversation may record it. | say the words |
| Japan | Tell people (APPI). A person in the conversation may record it. | say the words |
| South Korea | A person in the conversation may record it; recording a conversation you are not part of is a crime. PIPA covers what you keep. | say the words; never record a room you are not in |
| Australia | Varies by state. Some states let a person in the conversation record it; others need every person to agree. | get a yes from everyone, always |
| United Kingdom | Tell people and have a reason (UK GDPR). A person in the conversation may record it. | say the words; for business, keep a note of why you record |
| European Union | Tell people and have a lawful basis (GDPR). In some countries, for example Germany, a secret recording is a crime, so everyone must agree. | get a yes from everyone, always |
| United States | Most states: one person in the conversation may record. About a dozen states need every person to agree, among them California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington. | get a yes from everyone, always; then it is right in every state |
| Canada | A person in the conversation may record it. For business use, PIPEDA asks you to tell people. | say the words |
What the app does for you
The words above go to every guest at the door, in the language of the room, once the host of this site approves them. The record keeps who was in the room when something was said, so you can show who agreed and when.