Has this Happened to You? - “I Was Recorded at a Grocery Store Without My Permission. Can They Really Do That?”

It’s a question more and more people are asking:

Can someone secretly record me in a grocery store, post it on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, and

get away with it?

With smartphones everywhere and social media turning everyday moments into viral content, many Floridians are shocked to discover themselves online without permission, without warning, and often without context.

The emotional impact can be devastating: embarrassment, anxiety, reputational harm, and even harassment.

So what does Florida law actually say about this?

Legality of Being Recorded in Public in Florida

In general, people are allowed to record video of others in public places where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, such as:

• ⁠Grocery stores

• Parks

• Streets

• Sidewalks

• Parking lots

Simply being filmed in public, by itself, is usually not illegal, even if you didn’t consent and didn’t know it was happening.

However, Florida draws a very important legal line when it comes to audio and private conversations.

Florida’s Two-Party Consent Rule (Wiretap Law)

Florida is one of the strictest states in the country when it comes to recording conversations.

Under Florida Statute §934.03, it is a crime to record a private conversation without the consent of all parties involved.

This law applies to: •⁠ ⁠Face-to-face conversations

• Phone calls

• Electronic communications

If someone secretly recorded your voice while you reasonably believed the conversation was private, they may have violated Florida’s wiretap statute, even if you were standing inside a store.

Important distinction:

• Video alone is usually legal in public

• Video with private audio is where criminal liability can arise

If your conversation was recorded without your consent and then posted online, that may be illegal.

Can They Post the Video on Social Media?

If the video was lawfully recorded, meaning:

• It was in public

• No private audio was captured

• ⁠No other laws were violated

Then the person generally has a First Amendment right to post it.

However, even lawful recordings can still violate:

• Platform privacy rules

• Harassment policies

• ⁠Non-consensual content policies

Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube all prohibit certain forms of non-consensual recordings, harassment, and exploitation, and many videos are removed every day for violating these rules.

When a Lawyer Can Step In

If the recording:

• ⁠Captured your private conversation without consent

• Was posted in a way that harmed your reputation

• Was used to harass or exploit you

• Violates platform policiesThen a lawyer may be able to pursue:

• A cease-and-desist demand

• A formal takedown request

• Civil claims for privacy violations

• Criminal investigation for illegal recording

An attorney can evaluate:

• Whether the recording was lawful

• ⁠Whether your privacy rights were violated

• Whether social media policies were breached

• What legal remedies are available to you

BOTTOM LINE:

• If your private conversation was secretly recorded, it may violate Florida’s two-party consent law

• A lawyer can demand takedown of non-consensual recordings from social platforms

• Legal action may be available if your privacy rights were violated

Has This Happened to You?

If you were secretly recorded in a store, restaurant, parking lot, or anywhere else and that video is now circulating online, you don’t have to accept it.

The legal professionals at Albert Quirantes, Esq. Criminal DUI & Ticket Lawyers can evaluate your situation and develop a strategic legal response.

We understand the emotional toll this causes, and we know how to fight back using Florida privacy law, social media platform rules, and civil remedies.

Text or call our office today at 305-644–8000 for a legal strategy session and let us help you protect your rights, your privacy, and your reputation.