MC1163766 – (Updated) New policy setting to require explicit consent for recording and transcription in Teams 1:1 calls

Product:

Microsoft 365 admin center, Purview, Teams, Windows

Platform:

Mac, Online, US Instances, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

Rolling out

Change type:

Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

503295

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft Teams will require explicit consent for recording and transcription in 1:1 VoIP calls starting early 2026. Administrators must enable this feature, which prompts participants for consent before recording. PSTN users are auto-consented. Training and policy updates are recommended for preparation.

Details:
Updated November 20, 2025: 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 January 2026 (previously mid-January).
General Availability (GCC High): Begins early February 2026 (previously late January), completes mid-February 2026 (previously early February).
General Availability (DoD): Begins mid-February 2026 (previously late January), completes late February 2026 (previously mid-February).

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability, Targeted Release

Created:
2025-10-02

updated:
2025-11-22

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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MS Urgency

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linked item details

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

User Consent Requirement
Users will be required to provide explicit consent before their media can be recorded or transcribed, which may lead to confusion and delays in meetings if not properly communicated beforehand.
   - roles: Teams Users, Administrators
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/compliance/audit-log-activities?view=o365-worldwide, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=503295

Disruption of Communication
Until consent is granted, the participant's audio, video, and screen sharing will be disabled, potentially disrupting the flow of communication during important discussions.
   - roles: Teams Users, Administrators
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/compliance/audit-log-activities?view=o365-worldwide, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=503295

Training and Policy Updates
Lack of preparation may result in insufficient training for users regarding the new consent process, leading to non-compliance and user frustration.
   - roles: Teams Administrators, Compliance Officers
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/compliance/audit-log-activities?view=o365-worldwide, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=503295

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Enhanced User Training Programs
With the introduction of explicit consent for recording and transcription, there is an opportunity to enhance user training programs to ensure all employees understand the new consent requirements. This can improve user experience and compliance with privacy regulations.
   - next-steps: Develop comprehensive training materials and conduct workshops for all users on the new consent policy and its implications. Utilize e-learning platforms to facilitate training.
   - roles: HR Managers, Compliance Officers, IT Administrators
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/compliance/audit-log-activities?view=o365-worldwide, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=503295

Improved Compliance Monitoring
The new consent feature provides a chance to enhance compliance monitoring capabilities. By leveraging audit logs, organizations can track consent-related activities and ensure adherence to privacy policies, thus reducing legal risks.
   - next-steps: Implement a system for regularly reviewing audit logs related to recording consent and create reports to assess compliance levels. Train compliance officers on how to interpret these logs effectively.
   - roles: Compliance Officers, IT Administrators, Legal Advisors
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/compliance/audit-log-activities?view=o365-worldwide, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=503295

Streamlined IT Administrative Tasks
The ability to manage consent settings via PowerShell or the Teams admin center presents an opportunity to streamline IT administrative tasks, allowing for more efficient management of user policies and settings.
   - next-steps: Create scripts for common administrative tasks related to the new consent feature, and provide training for IT staff on how to use these tools effectively. Evaluate the potential for automation in policy management.
   - roles: IT Administrators, System Administrators, Operations Managers
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/microsoftteams/set-csteamscallingpolicy?view=teams-ps#-explicitrecordingconsent, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=503295

Potentional Risks**

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Data Protection**

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IT Security**

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Hypothetical Work Council Statement**

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DPIA Draft**

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explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft Teams is introducing a new feature that requires explicit consent for recording and transcription during one-on-one calls. Imagine you're in a meeting room with someone, and before you start recording the conversation, you ask them if it's okay to do so. This is similar to what Microsoft Teams will now require for digital calls.

Starting in early 2026, if someone wants to record or transcribe a one-on-one call, the other person will receive a prompt asking for their permission. Until they agree, their audio, video, and any shared content will not be included in the recording. This is like having a mute button that only turns off when everyone agrees to be recorded.

For administrators, this means there's a new setting to manage. By default, this consent feature is turned off, and administrators will need to enable it if they want to use it. Think of it like a new rule in a company handbook that needs to be added and communicated to everyone.

For those using traditional phone lines (PSTN), consent will be automatically assumed for now, but future updates will include explicit consent for these users as well.

This change is about giving people more control over their privacy and ensuring everyone is on the same page before a recording starts. It's a bit like updating the rules of a game to make sure everyone plays fairly and knows what's happening.

Administrators can apply this policy to everyone in the organization or just specific users, and they can manage these settings through tools like PowerShell or the Microsoft Teams admin center. It's a straightforward update that aligns with privacy standards and customer feedback.