How to ask before you hit record

Recording a conversation is easy. Recording it in a way that everyone in the room feels fine about takes one more step: asking. This post covers how we think about consent at T2, what we recommend saying and how the app helps you keep that promise. It is practical advice, not legal advice. Rules differ between countries and workplaces, so check what applies to you.

Why asking matters

People speak differently when they know they are recorded. Some become more careful, which is often fine. Others stop sharing half finished ideas, which is a loss. A clear question at the start gives everyone a moment to decide how they want to take part. It also removes the worst outcome: someone finding out later that a private remark ended up in a shared summary.

Asking is also a matter of respect for the people who are not on your team. Clients, candidates and partners did not choose your tools. They deserve to know what happens to their words.

What to say

Keep it short and specific. A good request answers three questions: what is recorded, why, and who will see it. For example:

“I would like to record this meeting with T2 so I can focus on the conversation instead of typing. The transcript and summary stay in our team workspace. Is that okay with everyone?”

Then wait for an answer from each person. Silence is not agreement. If one person says no, do not record. Take notes by hand or ask a colleague to write the summary later. A meeting without a recording is better than a meeting with an uncomfortable participant.

When to ask

Ask before you start the recording, not after. For meetings with external guests, mention it in the invitation as well. A line like “We usually record our calls for notes, let us know if you prefer we do not” gives people time to think about it without the pressure of a live call.

For recurring internal meetings, you do not need to ask every week. Agree once as a team, write it down in the meeting description and remind new members when they join.

Pause, stop and delete

Consent is not a single yes at the start. Conversations change. Someone may want to share something personal, talk about a colleague who is not present or discuss a topic that should not be written down. Make it normal to say “can we pause the recording for a moment?”

In T2, the pause button sits in the same place as the record button, large enough to hit without looking. Paused parts are not recorded at all, not just hidden. If something slipped through, you can select any part of the transcript and delete it. The summary and the action items are updated without that part.

Who sees the result

Tell people where the recording goes and keep that promise. By default, a T2 recording is visible only to the person who made it. Sharing is a separate step, and you choose who gets the transcript, who gets only the summary and who gets nothing. For most meetings, sharing the summary is enough. The full transcript can stay private.

If someone asks you later to remove their part, do it. It is a small effort compared to the trust it keeps.

A short template for your team

• Ask before recording and wait for every person to answer

• Explain what is recorded, why, and who will see it

• Mention recording in invitations for external guests

• Pause whenever someone asks, without discussion

• Share summaries by default, transcripts only when needed

• Delete parts on request

Copy this list into your team handbook or meeting template. It takes a minute to read and saves you from the few situations where recording does more harm than good.