The rules where you are
Laws on recording conversations differ from one country or region to the next. In some places, it is enough that one person in the conversation agrees. In many others, everyone must agree, and recording people without their knowledge can be a serious offence.
Lenn cannot know the rules that apply where you are. It is up to you to follow them, at home and when you travel. When you are not sure, there is one answer that works everywhere: tell people, and listen to their reply.
A medical appointment, a meeting with a client, a talk between friends: these are private words. Treat them the way you would like yours to be treated.
How to say it
No need for an official formula. Say it at the start, simply, the way you would mention taking notes. A few ideas:
With someone close
Do you mind if Lenn helps me remember our chat?
At the doctor’s
Doctor, may I let my app listen to our appointment? It helps me remember your advice.
With a client
I take my notes with Lenn so I don’t forget anything we say. Is that all right with you?
On a video call
Before we start: Lenn helps me keep track of this call. Is everyone fine with that?
In a meeting
I’m starting Lenn to keep the decisions and who does what. If anyone would rather not, just tell me.
If someone would rather not
That is their right, and it is not a problem. Tap Stop: listening ends right away. You could say, for instance:
To stop without awkwardness
No problem, I’ll take notes by hand.
After the conversation, nothing stops you from telling Lenn what you took away from it: those are your words, not theirs.
If someone later asks you to erase what was heard, delete that moment in Lenn. It takes a few seconds.
What Lenn does to help
- It only listens when you ask. There is no silent listening mode.
- Listening is visible. An indicator stays on screen while it listens: lock screen, Dynamic Island, Watch face, Mac menu bar.
- It reminds you. At the start of every listening session: “Remember to tell Dr Patel I’m listening.”
- On a Mac, it offers. When a call starts, it asks whether it may listen. It never starts on its own.
- Recognising a voice needs agreement. It only learns someone’s voice when you confirm who it is. Only do so if that person agrees.
At work and on video calls
With clients, colleagues or candidates, trust counts twice. Say it at the start of the call, and follow your organisation’s rules: many have a policy on recording meetings.
If you listen to a call on your Mac, every participant should know, not only the person who invited you. When people join from different places, the strictest rule is the safest one to follow.