💡 Our Technical Review in summary
Summary
Microsoft is expanding the “Explicit Recording Consent” feature to include 1:1 Microsoft Teams calls (Roadmap ID 503295). This update requires participants in a 1:1 VoIP call to provide active consent before their audio, video, and screen sharing are included in a recording or transcription initiated by the other party. This feature is currently off by default and must be enabled by administrators via calling policies. The rollout is scheduled to begin in early January 2026 and complete by late April 2026.
Impact
- User Experience: When this policy is enabled, if a user starts a recording or transcription in a 1:1 call, the other participant will receive a consent prompt. Until the participant clicks “Accept,” their microphone, camera, and screen sharing will be automatically disabled and excluded from the recording.
- Scope: This currently applies to Teams desktop applications on Windows and macOS.
- PSTN Calls: Users joining via Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) will be automatically consented for now. Explicit consent support for PSTN is planned for a future release.
- Default State: The feature is disabled by default. Administrators must choose to opt-in to this behavior via the
ExplicitRecordingConsentparameter. - Audit Compliance: Consent actions are captured in Microsoft Purview audit logs, providing a record for compliance and legal requirements.
Action Required
- Evaluate Policy Needs: Determine if your organization’s privacy requirements necessitate explicit consent for 1:1 calls. This is particularly relevant for organizations in highly regulated industries or regions with strict privacy laws.
- Configure Calling Policies: Use the Microsoft Teams Admin Center or PowerShell to enable the feature. To enable it globally via PowerShell, use:
Set-CsTeamsCallingPolicy -Identity Global -ExplicitRecordingConsent "Enabled". - Update Internal Documentation: Update help desk scripts and user training materials to reflect that media will be temporarily disabled during 1:1 calls until the consent prompt is acknowledged.
- Monitor Rollout Timeline: Ensure your IT team is aware of the updated schedule: Targeted Release begins January 2026, with General Availability finishing in late April 2026.
Microsoft Official Update
Service: N/A
Category: planForChange
Severity: normal
Updated March 20, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction]
To enhance transparency and user control, Microsoft Teams is expanding the Explicit Recording Consent feature to include 1:1 Teams calls. 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 January 2026 (previously early December 2025), completes mid-January 2026 (previously mid-December 2025).
- General Availability (Worldwide, GCC): Begins mid-January 2026 (previously mid-December 2025), completes late April 2026 (previously late January).
- General Availability (GCC High): Begins early February 2026 (previously late January), completes late April 2026 (previously mid-February).
- General Availability (DoD): Begins mid-February 2026 (previously late January), completes late April 2026 (previously late February).
[How this affects your organization:]
Who is affected:
- Microsoft Teams administrators managing calling policies.
- Users participating in 1:1 Teams VoIP calls where recording or transcription is initiated.
- Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) endpoints will be auto consented. Explicit consent support for PSTN will be included in a future release.
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 VoIP 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.
- PSTN users will be auto-consented. Learn more at Manage Teams recording policies | Auto consent endpoints and platforms
- Administrators can apply this policy tenant-wide or to specific users.
[What you can do to prepare:]
- 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. |
