Be very careful. Video of your own property is generally allowed in New York, but audio is treated more strictly because the law protects private conversations. A security camera or doorbell with a microphone can capture conversations you are not part of, and New York's eavesdropping law makes intentionally recording certain conversations without anyone's consent a felony. The safest approach for most homes and businesses is to turn audio off unless you have confirmed, with legal advice if needed, that your specific use is lawful.
This article is general information, not legal advice. The statutes are complex, facts matter and laws change. Read the official text and consult a New York attorney for your situation.
1. Why Audio Is Different From Video
Video of what anyone can see from the street is widely accepted. Sound is different: a microphone can pick up words spoken behind a closed window, across a yard or inside a room. People expect more privacy for what they say than for what they look like walking up to a door. That is why many states regulate audio separately.
2. What the Statutes Say
Under New York Penal Law section 250.05, eavesdropping is a class E felony. The statute describes unlawful wiretapping, mechanical overhearing of a conversation, and intercepting or accessing an electronic communication. You can read the official text at nysenate.gov.
The definitions are in Penal Law section 250.00, available at nysenate.gov. In plain language:
- Mechanical overhearing of a conversation means intentionally overhearing or recording a conversation with a device by someone who is not present, without the consent of at least one party to the conversation.
- Wiretapping concerns telephone and telegraph communications, without the consent of the sender or receiver.
The key concept is consent. New York is often described as a "one-party consent" state for recording conversations: if you are part of the conversation, or one of the parties consents, recording is generally allowed under the statute. But a security camera is usually recording conversations among other people, not conversations you are part of. If no one in the conversation has consented, and you are not a party, the recording may fall into "mechanical overhearing."
That is why a camera microphone that captures neighbors talking on the sidewalk, a babysitter talking on the phone or customers speaking at a counter can create exposure.
3. When Audio Is Most Risky
Doorbells and porch cameras that record people speaking on your porch or street.
Cameras that can hear into a neighbor's yard.
Business cameras recording customers and staff conversations without notice.
Cameras in bedrooms, living rooms or nurseries when people who are not aware of the microphone are speaking.
Hidden cameras with microphones, which can combine audio and privacy problems.
Two-way audio features used to talk to visitors. These involve you as a participant, which is different from passive recording, but the camera may still record.
4. When Audio May Be Lower Risk
Some situations are generally considered lower risk, but they are not guaranteed to be lawful in every case:
- You are a party to the conversation and you are recording it.
- All parties have been told and agree, in writing if possible.
- The microphone is on a device pointed at your own space where only you and people who have consented are present.
- A business has posted clear notice and obtained consent from employees and other people recorded.
Even then, ask a lawyer. Rules can be technical, and civil claims can arise even where criminal liability is unclear.
5. Practical Settings for Cameras and Doorbells
- Turn off audio recording by default. Most modern cameras and doorbells let you disable the microphone in the app.
- Keep two-way talk if you need it, but disable recording of audio.
- Check cloud settings. Some apps record audio by default.
- Ask your installer to disable audio and show you how to confirm it is off.
- Use video-only cameras where audio is not needed.
- If you decide to use audio, get legal advice, post clear notice and obtain consent where applicable.
6. Businesses and Employees
Employers have special obligations. Labor Law section 203-c bars video recording of employees in restrooms, locker rooms and rooms designated for changing, as stated in the text at nysenate.gov. Audio is a separate issue. Recording employee conversations can create legal risk, and union agreements and policies may add rules. See our guide to workplace camera rules in New York.
If your business wants audio for a specific reason, such as a teller window or an intercom, consult an attorney about notice, consent and how recordings are stored and used.
7. Landlords, Tenants and Shared Buildings
In multi-family buildings, a microphone in a hallway or lobby can capture conversations among residents who have no idea they are being recorded. This creates risk for landlords and boards. Tenants who install cameras with microphones can capture neighbors' conversations through walls or doors. See our guides on landlord cameras and tenant cameras.
8. Nanny Cams and Hidden Cameras
Nanny cams are popular and legally sensitive. Video in a home where you live may be allowed, but audio and placement are key issues. Never place a camera in a bathroom or a place where someone is undressing. Audio on a hidden nanny cam can capture conversations the caregiver has with others, including phone calls. Penal Law section 250.45 also addresses unlawful surveillance in private spaces; see the official text at nysenate.gov. Our guide on nanny cams in New York and New Jersey goes into detail.
9. Police and Evidence
Footage with audio can be powerful evidence but also raises admissibility and legality questions. If you have a recording you think is important, keep the original, avoid editing it and talk to the police or an attorney. NYC businesses can register cameras with the NYPD's free Community Camera Sharing Program. See our guide on using footage as evidence.
10. News Context
News stories about home and business break-ins usually rely on video, not audio. In February 2026, NYPD released stills and video from a Staten Island doorstep to help identify three young men who tried to enter three homes overnight, according to CBS News New York. That kind of video is valuable because it shows people clearly. Audio is rarely needed to identify someone, and it adds legal risk.
NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD). Cameras are useful, but they do not require microphones.
11. How to Check Whether Your Camera Records Audio
- Open the camera's app and look for settings labeled "audio," "microphone," "sound recording" or "two-way talk."
- Turn recording off, and confirm that clips no longer have sound.
- Play back a test clip while speaking near the camera.
- If you have a recorder, check each channel's audio setting.
- If you rented the home or bought it with cameras, check every camera.
- Ask your installer if you are unsure.
12. Questions to Ask
- Does this camera have a microphone, and is it on?
- Can you disable it completely?
- If I want audio, what notice and consent should I use?
- How is audio stored and who can access it?
- Can I get a video-only model?
- Can you provide documentation for my landlord, board or employees?
See our local pages for video doorbell installation in Brooklyn, security camera installation in Staten Island, business camera installation in Queens and our services page.
Not sure how your cameras are configured? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
13. A Cautious Rule of Thumb
If you are not sure whether audio is lawful, assume it is not and turn it off. Video gives you almost everything you need for security. If you have a particular need for audio, get legal advice first. The cost of an hour with a lawyer is small compared with the risk of a criminal complaint or civil suit. Whatever you decide, write down your reasoning and keep it with your camera records, so you can show later that audio was considered and handled deliberately rather than left on by default.
More From Revolvis
Cameras are one layer of a secure property. The same in-house crew also handles the rest:
- Keyless entry installation and smart lock installation
- Access control systems and commercial access control
- Video doorbells and intercoms
- Alarm system installation
- Complete unified security
Learn more about Revolvis, meet the team, see all services, browse the blog or contact us.
Areas We Serve
Revolvis installs residential and commercial camera systems across the New York metro area. Every borough and county has its own building stock, rules and wiring challenges, so the plan for a Queens two-family is not the plan for a Manhattan co-op.
- Staten Island: houses, detached garages and shop fronts. See security camera installation in Staten Island.
- Brooklyn: brownstones, row houses and storefronts. See security camera installation in Brooklyn.
- Queens: attached brick homes, two-families and busy commercial strips. See security camera installation in Queens.
- The Bronx: pre-war buildings, bodegas and warehouses. See security camera installation in the Bronx.
- Manhattan: co-ops, condos, offices and retail. See security camera installation in Manhattan.
- Long Island: Nassau County and Suffolk County.
- New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Hoboken and nearby towns.
The full list is on the service areas page.
Get a Custom Quote After a Site Visit
Revolvis prices every job after a site visit, because the building sets the cost as much as the equipment does. A few things make the estimate faster and more accurate:
- The address and property type: house, apartment, co-op, condo, storefront or warehouse.
- Which doors, sides and areas you want covered, and what worries you most.
- Photos of those spots and any spots where you already have cabling or power.
- How many days of footage you want to keep and whether you want to watch on your phone.
- Any landlord, board, lender or insurer requirement.
Call 347-258-9165 or use the contact page to book a site visit. The quote you receive is written and itemized, so you can compare it line by line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to record audio on a security camera in New York? It can be risky. New York's eavesdropping law applies to recording conversations without the consent of at least one party. Turn audio off unless you have confirmed your use is lawful.
Is New York a one-party consent state? Generally, a conversation can be recorded with the consent of one party, but a camera recording others' conversations may not qualify. Ask an attorney.
Can my video doorbell record audio? Many can. Check settings and consider disabling audio recording.
Can I use two-way talk? Two-way talk lets you speak with visitors. Recording that audio is a separate issue.
Do I need a sign for audio recording? A sign alone may not make recording lawful. Get legal advice before enabling audio.
What if my camera came with audio on? Check the app and turn it off if you are unsure.
Ready for a custom quote? Call Revolvis at 347-258-9165 for a site visit and a written, itemized estimate.
Safety note: A camera system supports, but does not replace, good locks, lighting, alarms and everyday habits. If you are in danger or witnessing a crime, call 911. Prices and legal summaries in this guide are general information for the New York metro area, not an offer or legal advice. A written quote after a site visit governs your actual price, and for legal questions you should confirm with the agencies linked in the article or a licensed attorney.