2 main reasons: 1. They typically don't say "this call may be recorded", they say "this call may be recorded for quality assurance purposes" or something along

2 main reasons: 1. They typically don't say "this call may be recorded", they say "this call may be recorded for quality assurance purposes" or something along those lines. It should be obvious that the "may" here doesn't mean "anyone has permission to record it", but instead it means it might be recorded". 2. You're giving a completely uninformed opinion about a legal matter in which you are basically advising people to do something that might break their state's laws. Your "common sense" interpretation of a statement does not necessarily have anything at all to do with the actual legality. In such circumstances, you should always assume the worst, which in this case is that it is illegal for you to record the conversation unless you explicitly inform the other party.