Microsoft Teams will require explicit consent before recording or transcribing 1:1 PSTN or VoIP calls, enhancing privacy and compliance. This feature, off by default, can be enabled by admins and applies to desktop apps starting November 2025. Consent prompts disable participant media until granted.
[Introduction]
To enhance transparency and user control, Microsoft Teams is expanding the Explicit Recording Consent feature to include 1:1 calls made via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or Teams Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This update ensures that participants must provide explicit consent before their media (audio, video, and content sharing) is included in any recording or transcription initiated by another user. This change supports privacy compliance and aligns with customer feedback requesting more granular consent controls.
This message is associated with Roadmap ID 503295.
[When this will happen:]- Targeted Release: Begins early November 2025, completes early November 2025.
- General Availability (Worldwide, GCC): Begins mid-November 2025, completes mid-November 2025.
- General Availability (GCC High): Begins late November 2025, completes early December 2025.
- General Availability (DoD): Begins early December 2025, completes early December 2025.
Who is affected:
- Microsoft Teams administrators managing calling policies.
- Users participating in 1:1 PSTN or Teams VoIP calls where recording or transcription is initiated.
What will happen:
- This feature applies to Microsoft Teams desktop apps on Windows and macOS.
- By default, Explicit Recording Consent is OFF and must be enabled by administrators.
- When enabled:
- Users initiating recording or transcription in 1:1 calls will trigger a consent prompt for the other participant.
- Until consent is granted, the participant’s audio, video, and screen/content sharing will be disabled, and as a result, excluded from the recording.
- Administrators can apply this policy tenant-wide or to specific users.
- Update training materials to reflect that Explicit Recording Consent now applies to 1:1 calls (PSTN and Teams VoIP).
- Inform users that consent is required before recording or transcription can begin in 1:1 calls.
- Administrators can manage this feature via PowerShell or the Microsoft Teams admin center.
PowerShell commands:
Set-CsTeamsCallingPolicy -Identity Global -ExplicitRecordingConsent'Enabled' Set-CsTeamsCallingPolicy -Identity Global -ExplicitRecordingConsent'Disabled'
Learn more: Set-CsTeamsCallingPolicy documentation
[Compliance considerations:]
| Compliance Area | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Audit Logging | Consent data is captured in audit logs. Refer to Audit log activities in Microsoft Purview. |