Any and all depositions are recorded, not just those the USG does. Generally just audio though, in my experience. It is one of the primary methods used to (atte

Any and all depositions are recorded, not just those the USG does. Generally just audio though, in my experience. It is one of the primary methods used to (attempt to) impeach witnesses, along with obviously being used to gather evidence. I handled multi-million dollar mesothelioma cases and we had both audio recording and someone transcribing the testimony of deponents at every deposition. Other firms occasionally filmed theirs. Which is just to say there is nothing unique or nefarious about Gates being recorded. Edit, to add: maybe there are some novice or low-budget attorneys that don’t record them, but if you don’t record them it basically defeats the entire purpose.