Utah Voyeurism Laws
Utah criminalizes voyeurism and hidden camera offenses under Utah Code Ann. 76-9-702.7. This statute was renumbered during the 2025 criminal code recodification but remains substantively unchanged. It prohibits using technology to secretly record someone in circumstances where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
This guide covers what conduct is prohibited, the criminal penalties for voyeurism at different severity levels, how these laws interact with Utah's wiretapping statute, and the remedies available to victims.
Utah's Voyeurism Statute (76-9-702.7)
What the Law Prohibits
A person is guilty of voyeurism who intentionally uses any type of technology to secretly or surreptitiously record, by video, photograph, or other means, an individual:
- For the purpose of viewing any portion of the individual's body regarding which the individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy, whether or not covered with clothing
- Without the knowledge or consent of the individual
- Under circumstances in which the individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy
This statute applies broadly. It covers traditional hidden cameras, smartphone recordings, spy cameras, drone cameras, and any other technology capable of capturing images.
Elements Prosecutors Must Prove
- The defendant intentionally used technology to record
- The recording was secret or surreptitious
- The purpose was to view a body area where privacy is expected
- The victim did not know about or consent to the recording
- The circumstances created a reasonable expectation of privacy
Criminal Penalties
| Offense | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Voyeuristic recording | Class A Misdemeanor | 1 year jail, $2,500 fine |
| Viewing without recording (private place) | Class B Misdemeanor | 6 months jail |
| Distribution of voyeuristic images | Third Degree Felony | 5 years prison, $5,000 fine |
| Distribution involving child under 14 | Second Degree Felony | 1-15 years prison, $10,000 fine |
The escalating penalties reflect the severity of the offense. Simple viewing carries the lightest punishment, while distribution involving minors carries the most severe.
Hidden Cameras in Private Places
Where Voyeurism Protections Apply
Places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy in Utah include:
- Bathrooms, restrooms, and shower facilities
- Locker rooms and changing areas
- Bedrooms and hotel rooms
- Medical examination rooms
- Dressing rooms in retail stores
- Private offices with closed doors
- Any enclosed area where a person reasonably believes they are unobserved
Utah courts also recognize that even in public restrooms, individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Workplace Hidden Cameras
Employers who install cameras in areas where employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy face criminal liability under the voyeurism statute. Cameras in bathrooms, locker rooms, and changing areas are always prohibited. Cameras in common work areas are generally permissible.
Residential Hidden Cameras
Placing hidden cameras in someone else's home without consent violates Utah law. This applies to:
- Landlords placing cameras in tenant-occupied units
- Partners or roommates placing cameras in private areas without consent
- Domestic workers monitored in private spaces
- Any person who installs a camera in another's living space
Nonconsensual Intimate Images
Utah separately addresses the distribution of intimate images without consent. Sharing sexually explicit images of another person without their consent, when done with intent to cause harm or distress, can result in criminal charges. Utah has enacted strong protections against "revenge porn" and similar offenses.
Interaction With Federal Law
Utah's voyeurism laws operate alongside federal protections:
- The Video Voyeurism Prevention Act of 2004 (18 U.S.C. 1801) applies on federal property
- Federal wiretap law (18 U.S.C. 2511) applies to audio captured by hidden cameras
- FERPA protections apply to recordings of students in schools
Reporting Voyeurism in Utah
- Contact local law enforcement immediately
- Do not disturb hidden camera devices found
- Document the date, time, location, and details
- Preserve any evidence
- Consult an attorney about civil remedies including invasion of privacy claims
More Utah Recording Laws
Audio Recording | Video Recording | Voyeurism & Hidden Cameras | Workplace Recording | Recording Police | Phone Call Recording | Security Cameras | Recording in Public | Landlord-Tenant | Dashcam Laws | Schools | Medical Recording
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