South Carolina
South Carolina Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 16, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 16, 2026. · 9 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
South Carolina permits surveillance cameras on your own property but prohibits recording in areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. S.C. Code 16-17-470 governs voyeurism and peeping tom offenses, and S.C. Code 17-30-30 makes the state a one-party consent jurisdiction for audio recording.
Overview of South Carolina Surveillance Camera Laws
South Carolina does not have a single comprehensive surveillance camera statute. Instead, several laws work together to regulate where and how cameras can be used throughout the state. The key statutes include S.C. Code 16-17-470 (eavesdropping, peeping, and voyeurism) and S.C. Code Title 17, Chapter 30 (interception of wire, electronic, or oral communications).
The common thread across all of these laws is the concept of a "reasonable expectation of privacy." Surveillance cameras are generally legal in South Carolina when used in areas where people do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as public streets, front yards, and common areas of businesses. Recording becomes illegal when cameras are placed to capture images or audio in private spaces without consent.
South Carolina law defines a "place where a person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy" as either a place where a reasonable person would believe they could disrobe without being photographed or filmed, or a place where one would reasonably expect to be safe from hostile intrusion or surveillance.
Understanding these laws is essential for homeowners installing security systems, employers setting up workplace monitoring, and anyone who wants to protect their own privacy rights.
Home Security Camera Laws in South Carolina
South Carolina law permits homeowners to install security cameras on their own property for purposes such as deterring crime, monitoring deliveries, and keeping an eye on their home while away. There is no state law requiring homeowners to register security cameras or obtain a permit before installation.
Where You Can Place Home Security Cameras
You can legally place cameras in the following areas of your property:
- Front door and porch areas for monitoring visitors and package deliveries
- Driveways and garages to record vehicle activity
- Backyards to monitor your own property
- Common living areas inside your home, such as living rooms and kitchens
- Exterior walls aimed at your own property boundaries
Where You Cannot Place Home Security Cameras
Cameras become illegal when they are positioned to record areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy:
- Bathrooms and restrooms in your home where guests or residents expect privacy
- Guest bedrooms where visitors are staying
- Pointed directly into a neighbor's windows or interior living spaces
- Any area where someone is undressing or engaged in private activities
Under S.C. Code 16-17-470, it is unlawful to be a "peeping tom" on or about the premises of another. The statute defines a peeping tom as a person who peeps through windows, doors, or other like places on another's premises for the purpose of spying upon or invading the privacy of those being observed. The definition also includes any person who employs the use of video or audio equipment for those purposes.
Ring Doorbells and Smart Cameras
Video doorbells and smart security cameras like Ring, Nest, and Arlo are legal in South Carolina. These devices typically record your own porch and the public sidewalk or street in front of your home. Since these areas are in public view, there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, and recording is permitted.
However, if a doorbell camera captures a wide angle that includes a neighbor's interior spaces through their windows, this could raise privacy concerns under South Carolina law. Position your smart cameras to focus primarily on your own property and public areas.
Audio Recording on Home Security Cameras
Many modern security cameras include microphone capabilities. In South Carolina, audio recording is governed separately from video recording under S.C. Code Title 17, Chapter 30. South Carolina follows a one-party consent rule, meaning you can record a conversation if you are a participant or if one party to the conversation has given prior consent.
Under S.C. Code 17-30-30, it is lawful for a person not acting under color of law to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication where the person is a party to the communication or where one of the parties to the communication has given prior consent to the interception.
For outdoor security cameras that pick up ambient sounds and conversations of passersby, the law is less clear. The safest approach is to either disable audio recording on exterior cameras or post visible signage indicating that audio and video recording is in progress. This way, anyone who continues a conversation within range of the camera has arguably given implied consent.
Workplace Surveillance Camera Laws in South Carolina
South Carolina does not have a specific statute governing workplace video surveillance. Employers in the state generally follow federal law and common-law privacy principles when installing cameras at work.
What Employers Can Do
Employers may install video surveillance cameras in the following areas:
- Lobbies, hallways, and reception areas for security purposes
- Parking lots to protect employees and company property
- Warehouses and production floors to monitor operations
- Cash register areas to prevent theft
- Loading docks and entry points for security
What Employers Cannot Do
Even without a specific state statute, employers face restrictions based on privacy principles and federal guidelines:
- Restrooms and changing areas are always off-limits for surveillance
- Break rooms may raise privacy concerns depending on the circumstances
- Union meeting areas are protected under the National Labor Relations Act
- Private offices where employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy may require notice
Audio Surveillance at Work
Employers who use cameras with audio recording capabilities must comply with S.C. Code Title 17, Chapter 30. Since South Carolina is a one-party consent state, an employer cannot record private conversations between employees unless at least one party to the conversation has consented. The best practice for employers is to provide written notice to all employees that audio and video surveillance is in use and to obtain signed acknowledgments.
Employee Notification
While South Carolina does not require employers to notify employees of video-only surveillance, providing notice is strongly recommended. If an employer wishes to monitor, record, track, or surveil employees, the employer should communicate clearly with employees about the capability, policies, and procedures in place. A clear workplace surveillance policy should outline where cameras are located, whether audio is recorded, how footage is stored, who has access to recordings, and how long recordings are retained. This transparency helps employers avoid invasion of privacy claims.
Hidden Cameras and Voyeurism Laws
South Carolina takes hidden camera crimes seriously. S.C. Code 16-17-470 is the primary statute addressing eavesdropping, peeping, and voyeurism.
Voyeurism
A person commits the crime of voyeurism if, for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of any person, they knowingly view, photograph, audio record, video record, produce, or create a digital electronic file, or film another person without that person's knowledge and consent while the person is in a place where they would have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Peeping Tom Offenses
It is unlawful to be an eavesdropper or a peeping tom on or about the premises of another, or to go upon the premises of another for the purpose of becoming an eavesdropper or a peeping tom. The law specifically includes the use of video or audio equipment within its definition, meaning that placing a hidden camera to spy on someone is treated the same as physically peering through their window.
Aggravated Voyeurism
A person commits the crime of aggravated voyeurism if they knowingly sell or distribute any photograph, audio recording, video recording, digital electronic file, or film of another person taken or made in violation of Section 16-17-470. This covers the distribution of secretly recorded material, including sharing such material online.
Penalties for Hidden Camera and Voyeurism Offenses
| Offense | Classification | Maximum Prison Time | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eavesdropping or Peeping Tom (S.C. Code 16-17-470(A)) | Misdemeanor | Up to 3 years | $500 |
| Voyeurism, first offense (S.C. Code 16-17-470(B)) | Misdemeanor | Up to 3 years | $500 |
| Voyeurism, second or subsequent (S.C. Code 16-17-470(B)) | Felony | Up to 5 years | $500 to $5,000 |
| Aggravated Voyeurism (S.C. Code 16-17-470(C)) | Felony | Up to 10 years | $500 to $5,000 |
Under subsection (F), a person who procures photographs, audio recordings, video recordings, digital electronic files, or films in violation of the statute must immediately forfeit all of those items, and those items must be destroyed when they are no longer required for evidentiary purposes. The forfeiture provision reaches the recordings and files themselves rather than the camera equipment used to make them, and it does not name a law enforcement agency as the recipient.
Exceptions Under the Statute
S.C. Code 16-17-470(E) provides that the eavesdropping and peeping tom prohibitions in subsection (A) do not apply to:
- Viewing, photographing, videotaping, or filming by personnel of the Department of Corrections or county, municipal, or local jail or detention center for security purposes or during investigation of alleged misconduct
- Security surveillance for the purposes of decreasing or prosecuting theft, shoplifting, or other security measures in bona fide business establishments
- Any official law enforcement activities conducted pursuant to S.C. Code 16-17-480
- Private detectives and investigators conducting surveillance in the ordinary course of business
- Any bona fide news gathering activities
Audio Recording Laws (One-Party Consent)
South Carolina is a one-party consent state for audio recording. S.C. Code Title 17, Chapter 30 governs the interception and recording of wire, electronic, and oral communications.
What the Law Says
Under S.C. Code 17-30-20, it is a felony to intentionally intercept, attempt to intercept, or procure any other person to intercept any wire, oral, or electronic communication. The statute also prohibits intentionally disclosing or using the contents of communications obtained through unlawful interception.
However, S.C. Code 17-30-30 provides a critical exception: it is lawful for a person to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication where the person is a party to the communication or where one of the parties to the communication has given prior consent to the interception.
What One-Party Consent Means in Practice
If you are part of a conversation, whether in person, on the phone, or through any electronic means, you can legally record it without telling the other participants. You do not need to inform anyone else that the recording is taking place.
However, you cannot place a hidden recording device to capture conversations between other people when you are not present and no party to the conversation has consented. Doing so constitutes illegal interception.
Criminal Penalties for Illegal Recording
Those who violate the wiretapping provisions under S.C. Code 17-30-50, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both. First offenses involving unencrypted radio communications (excluding cellular or cordless phones) constitute a misdemeanor with up to one year imprisonment or up to $1,000 in fines.
Civil Remedies for Illegal Recording
Under S.C. Code 17-30-135, any person whose communication is unlawfully intercepted has a civil cause of action. Available remedies include preliminary or equitable relief, actual damages (but not less than liquidated damages computed at the rate of $500 per day of violation or $25,000, whichever is greater), punitive damages, and a reasonable attorney's fee and other litigation costs. The statute of limitations for civil actions is five years from the date the claimant first has a reasonable opportunity to discover the violation.
Neighbor Disputes Over Security Cameras
Disagreements between neighbors about security cameras are common in South Carolina. The law provides guidance on resolving these disputes.
When a Neighbor's Camera Is Legal
A neighbor's security camera is generally legal if it:
- Is pointed at the neighbor's own property
- Captures public areas like sidewalks and streets
- Records only video (without audio) of areas in public view
- Does not peer into your windows or private enclosed spaces
When a Neighbor's Camera May Be Illegal
A neighbor's camera may violate South Carolina law if it:
- Is deliberately aimed to look inside your home through windows
- Records your fully fenced backyard from an elevated position, capturing areas hidden from street view
- Records audio of your private conversations without your consent
- Is a hidden camera placed on your property without your knowledge
Under S.C. Code 16-17-470, using video or audio equipment to spy on someone on their premises constitutes a peeping tom offense. The law protects areas that cannot be seen from a public vantage point without stepping onto your property.
Steps to Resolve a Camera Dispute
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Talk to your neighbor. Many disputes arise from cameras that were not intentionally aimed at your property. A polite conversation can often resolve the issue.
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Document the situation. If the camera clearly invades your privacy, take photos or video showing the camera's position and what it captures.
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Send a written request. Ask your neighbor in writing to adjust the camera angle or position.
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Contact local authorities. If you believe a neighbor is using a camera to spy on your private activities, file a police report. Violations of S.C. Code 16-17-470 carry criminal penalties.
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Consult an attorney. You may have grounds for a civil invasion of privacy lawsuit if a neighbor's camera is deliberately aimed to capture your private activities.
Physical Solutions
You can also take steps to block a camera's view of your property:
- Install privacy fencing along your property line
- Plant tall hedges or trees to create natural barriers
- Use window film or curtains to block interior views
- Install your own cameras to document any intrusive behavior
Nanny Cam Laws in South Carolina
Nanny cameras, or hidden cameras used to monitor caregivers in your home, are generally legal in South Carolina with certain restrictions.
Where You Can Place a Nanny Cam
- Living rooms and family rooms where childcare takes place
- Kitchens and dining areas
- Playrooms and nurseries (in common areas)
- Hallways and entryways
Where You Cannot Place a Nanny Cam
- Bathrooms used by the caregiver
- Bedrooms designated for the caregiver's private use (for live-in nannies)
- Any room where the caregiver changes clothes or has a reasonable expectation of privacy
Audio on Nanny Cams
If your nanny cam records audio, South Carolina's one-party consent law under S.C. Code 17-30-30 applies. Since you may not be present during the conversations being recorded, and neither party to those conversations has consented, recording audio without the caregiver's knowledge could violate the wiretapping statute. The safest approach is to either disable audio recording or inform the caregiver in writing that audio and video recording takes place in the home.
While South Carolina law does not require you to disclose the presence of video-only cameras to a caregiver, transparency is recommended. Informing your nanny or babysitter about cameras builds trust and helps avoid potential legal issues. Ensuring the safety of children in your home and the security of your property are both legitimate and permissible purposes for home surveillance.
Drone Surveillance Laws in South Carolina
South Carolina addresses drone surveillance through its existing privacy statutes and emerging legislation.
Privacy and Surveillance Violations
South Carolina law prohibits conducting surveillance, recording, or photographing an individual in a location where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy without consent. A drone operator may face legal penalties if a drone takes images or videos of people in situations where privacy is expected. Using a drone to peer into windows, hover near private residences, or record people in enclosed backyards could violate S.C. Code 16-17-470.
Trespass and Private Property
Flying a drone may be considered an invasion of privacy or trespassing if it intrudes upon someone's private property, hovers near windows, or records private activities. If a drone captures video or audio without consent or repeatedly flies over your property at low altitude, you may have a case for invasion of privacy or trespass under South Carolina law.
Pending Legislation
South Carolina has introduced the South Carolina Community Data Protection and Responsible Surveillance Act (H.4675), which would restrict how surveillance data is stored and processed, including data collected by automated systems. Additionally, H.3042 would amend the voyeurism statute to address AI-generated deepfake images and increase penalties for violations.
HOA and Local Regulations
In addition to state law, homeowners in South Carolina may be subject to additional surveillance camera rules imposed by their homeowners association (HOA) or local municipality.
HOA Camera Rules
South Carolina does not have a statewide law governing HOA security camera policies. However, your HOA's covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) may include rules about camera placement, visibility, and positioning. Common HOA restrictions include requirements that cameras be aesthetically discreet, prohibitions on cameras aimed at common areas managed by the HOA, and rules about notification to the association before installation.
HOAs may install cameras in common areas for security purposes, but these cameras should not be pointed toward areas where residents expect reasonable privacy, such as inside an owner's home. Signs should be prominently displayed in surveilled locations so that residents and visitors know they should not expect privacy in those areas.
Before installing cameras in an HOA community, review your governing documents or contact your HOA board for guidance.
Local Ordinances
Some South Carolina cities and counties may have additional regulations regarding security cameras, particularly for commercial properties. Check with your local city hall or county clerk's office for any applicable ordinances.
Penalties Summary for Surveillance Violations in South Carolina
| Violation | Statute | Classification | Max Prison/Jail | Max Fine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eavesdropping or Peeping Tom | S.C. Code 16-17-470(A) | Misdemeanor | Up to 3 years | $500 |
| Voyeurism (1st offense) | S.C. Code 16-17-470(B) | Misdemeanor | Up to 3 years | $500 |
| Voyeurism (2nd+ offense) | S.C. Code 16-17-470(B) | Felony | Up to 5 years | $500 to $5,000 |
| Aggravated Voyeurism | S.C. Code 16-17-470(C) | Felony | Up to 10 years | $500 to $5,000 |
| Unlawful wiretapping | S.C. Code 17-30-20 | Felony | Up to 5 years | $5,000 |
| Wiretapping (radio, 1st offense) | S.C. Code 17-30-50 | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year | $1,000 |
Related South Carolina Camera and Privacy Laws
- South Carolina Recording Laws covers the consent rule that governs camera audio in South Carolina.
- South Carolina Security Camera Recording Rules explains the recording-law side of camera use.
- South Carolina Biometric Privacy Laws addresses facial recognition and biometric data.
- South Carolina Ring Doorbell Laws covers video doorbell rules in South Carolina.
Common Camera Questions
These national guides answer the most common surveillance camera questions:
- HOA Security Camera Rules
- Neighbor Security Camera Laws
- Nanny Cam Laws
- Workplace Surveillance Camera Laws
- Landlord Security Camera Laws
More South Carolina Laws
- South Carolina Voyeurism Laws
- South Carolina GPS Tracking Laws
- South Carolina Deepfake Laws
- South Carolina Employee Monitoring Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
Are home security cameras legal in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina homeowners can legally install security cameras on their own property. Cameras may record outdoor areas such as driveways, porches, and yards, as well as common indoor areas like living rooms and kitchens. However, cameras cannot be placed in areas where others have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as bathrooms, guest bedrooms, or aimed directly into a neighbor's home. Under S.C. Code 16-17-470, spying on someone using video or audio equipment constitutes a peeping tom offense punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a $500 fine.
Can my neighbor legally point a security camera at my house in South Carolina?
It depends on what the camera captures. A neighbor's camera may legally record their own property and public areas like sidewalks or streets, even if your home appears in the background. However, if the camera is deliberately aimed to look inside your windows or into a fully fenced backyard where you have a reasonable expectation of privacy, it could violate South Carolina's peeping tom and voyeurism laws under S.C. Code 16-17-470. You can ask the neighbor to adjust the camera angle, file a police report if you believe the recording is illegal, or consult an attorney about a civil invasion of privacy claim.
Is it legal to use a nanny cam in South Carolina?
Yes, you can use a nanny cam in common areas of your home such as living rooms, kitchens, and playrooms. However, cameras cannot be placed in bathrooms or private bedrooms used by the caregiver. If the nanny cam records audio, you must consider the one-party consent rule under S.C. Code 17-30-30. Since you may not be present during recorded conversations, the safest approach is to inform the caregiver about both audio and video recording or disable the audio function.
Can my employer record me at work with security cameras in South Carolina?
South Carolina does not have a specific law addressing workplace video surveillance. Employers may generally install video cameras in common work areas such as lobbies, hallways, production floors, and parking lots. Cameras are prohibited in restrooms, changing areas, and other spaces where employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy. If cameras record audio, employers must comply with S.C. Code Title 17, Chapter 30, which requires at least one party to a conversation to consent to the recording.
What are the penalties for illegal surveillance in South Carolina?
Penalties depend on the specific violation. Eavesdropping or peeping tom offenses under S.C. Code 16-17-470 are misdemeanors punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a $500 fine. Second or subsequent voyeurism offenses are felonies with up to 5 years in prison and fines between $500 and $5,000. Aggravated voyeurism (selling or distributing secretly recorded material) carries up to 10 years in prison. Unlawful wiretapping under S.C. Code 17-30-20 is a felony with up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Civil damages for wiretapping violations can reach $500 per day or $25,000, whichever is greater.
Updates
Corrected the description of the S.C. Code 16-17-470(F) forfeiture provision, which forfeits the unlawfully made recordings and files rather than camera equipment, and added the statute's fifth exception for bona fide news gathering activities.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Reviewed and approved by an editor
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 16: CRIMES AND OFFENSES
§ 16-17-470Eavesdropping, peeping, voyeurismIn forcecited in 14 of our articles
(A) It is unlawful for a person to be an eavesdropper or a peeping tom on or about the premises of another or to go upon the premises of another for the purpose of becoming an eavesdropper or a peeping tom. The term "peeping tom", as used in this section, is defined as a person who peeps through windows, doors, or other like places, on or about the premises of another, for the purpose of spying upon or invading the privacy of the persons spied upon and any other conduct of a similar nature, that tends to invade the privacy of others. The term "peeping tom" also includes any person who employs the use of video or audio equipment for the purposes set forth in this section. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at scstatehouse.gov
Cited in 8 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):United States v. Anthony Helton (2019) read the section's voyeurism subsection to require knowingly viewing a person without consent, where privacy is expected, for sexual arousal or gratification, and held that conviction a sex offense requiring federal registration. State v. Harris (1987) held peeping tom a crime of moral turpitude.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Holmes (Supreme Court of South Carolina 1995, 320 S.C. 259)✓At a capital murder trial the defense was barred from impeaching a jailhouse witness with his 1984 Peeping Tom conviction; the court held that was error because a section 16-17-470 violation is a crime of moral turpitude, but found the error harmless.
- State v. Harris (Supreme Court of South Carolina 1987, 293 S.C. 75)✓A man tried for assault with intent to commit sexual conduct with a minor was impeached with a prior Peeping Tom conviction; the court held the section 16-17-470 offense is a crime of moral turpitude, so using it to attack his credibility was proper.
- In re Parrott (Supreme Court of South Carolina 2017, 421 S.C. 105)“…ondent was arrested and charged with voyeurism pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 16-17-470 (B) (2015) after he used a cell phone t…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: South Carolina Smart Glasses Recording Laws 2026, South Carolina Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules, South Carolina Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties (2026)
§ 16-17-480Section 16-17-470 not applicable to law officersIn force
Nothing in Section 16-17-470 shall prevent duly constituted officers of the law from performing their official duties in ferreting out offenders or suspected offenders against violating the laws of this State or any municipality therein for the purpose of apprehending such suspected violator. But the provisions of this section shall not be construed as giving such officers any additional rights or powers upon private property but shall be construed as preserving only such powers as they had before.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at scstatehouse.gov
South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 17: CRIMINAL PROCEDURES
§ 17-30-30Interception by employee of Federal Communications Commission, by person acting under color or law, and when party has given prior consentIn forcecited in 19 of our articles
(A) It is lawful under this chapter for an officer, employee, or agent of the Federal Communications Commission, in the normal course of his employment and in discharge of the monitoring responsibilities exercised by the commission in the enforcement of 47 U.S.C. Chapter 5, to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication transmitted by radio or to disclose or use the information thereby obtained. (B) It is lawful under this chapter for a person acting under color of law to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication, where the person is a party to the communication or one of the parties to the communication has given prior consent to the interception. (C) It is lawful under this chapter for a person not acting under color of law to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication where the person is a party to the communication or where one of the parties to the communication has given prior consent to the interception.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-24 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at scstatehouse.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- McNeely (District Court, D. South Carolina 2025)“…a showing. The South Carolina statute cited by Plaintiff—S.C. Code § 17-30-30—provides “it is lawful . . . for a per…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: South Carolina Dashcam Laws: Mounting Rules, Audio Recording, and Evidence (2026), South Carolina Landlord-Tenant Recording Laws: Rights for Renters and Landlords (2026), South Carolina Medical Recording Laws: Patient Rights, HIPAA, and Consent (2026)
§ 17-30-20Prohibited actsIn forcecited in 9 of our articles
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, a person who commits any of the following acts is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be punished as provided in Section 17-30-50 of this chapter: (1) intentionally intercepts, attempts to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept or attempt to intercept any wire, oral, or electronic communication; (2) intentionally uses, attempts to use, or procures any other person to use or attempt to use any electronic, mechanical, or other device to intercept any oral communication when: (a) the device is affixed to or otherwise transmits a signal through a wire, cable, or other like connection used in wire communication; or (b) the device transmits communications by radio or interferes with the transmission of the communication; (3) intentionally discloses or attempts to disclose to any other person the contents of any wire, oral, or electronic communication, knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of a wire, oral, or electronic communication in violation of this subsection; (4) intentionally uses or attempts to use the contents of any wire, oral, or…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at scstatehouse.gov
Cited in 2 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2021
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Ducharme v. Madewell Concrete LLC (District Court, D. South Carolina 2021)“…the intentional interception of electronic communications. S.C. Code Ann. § 17-30-20; 18 U.S.C. § 2511. The critical inquir…”
- Carson v. Emergency MD LLC (District Court, D. South Carolina 2020)“…SCHSA’s list of prohibited acts require interception. See S.C. Code Ann. § 17-30-20. The SCHSA defines “intercept” as “the…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: South Carolina Phone Call Recording Laws: Consent Rules for Calls (2026), South Carolina Video Recording Laws: Where You Can and Cannot Record (2026), South Carolina Voyeurism Laws: Hidden Cameras, Peeping, and Penalties (2026)
§ 17-30-50Penalty for violating Sections 17-30-20 through 17-30-45In forcecited in 11 of our articles
(A) Except as provided in subsection (B), whoever violates the provisions of Sections 17-30-20 through 17-30-45, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both. (B) If the offense is a first offense under this chapter and is not for any unlawful purpose or for purposes of direct or indirect commercial advantage or private commercial gain, and the wire or electronic communication with respect to which the offense under this chapter was committed is a radio communication that is not scrambled, encrypted, or transmitted using modulation techniques the essential parameters of which have been withheld from the public with the intention of preserving the privacy of the communication, then: (1) if the communication is not the radio portion of a cellular telephone communication, a cordless telephone communication that is transmitted between the cordless telephone handset and the base unit, a public land mobile radio service communication, or a paging service communication, and the conduct is not that described in Section 17-30-35(7), the person committing the offense is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at scstatehouse.gov
Also relied on in: Alabama Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules, South Carolina Workplace Recording Laws: Employee and Employer Rights (2026), South Carolina AI Meeting Recording Laws (2026)
§ 17-30-135Civil action for wrongful interceptionsIn forcecited in 11 of our articles
(A) Any person whose wire, oral, or electronic communication is intercepted, disclosed, or used in violation of this chapter has a civil cause of action against any person or entity who intercepts, discloses, or uses, or procures any other person or entity to intercept, disclose, or use the communications and is entitled to recover from the person or entity which engaged in that violation relief as may be appropriate, including: (1) preliminary or equitable or declaratory relief as may be appropriate; (2) actual damages, but not less than liquidated damages computed at the rate of five hundred dollars a day for each day of violation or twenty-five thousand dollars, whichever is greater, not to exceed the limits on liability provided in subsection (F)(3); (3) punitive damages, except as may be prohibited in subsection (F)(4); and (4) a reasonable attorney's fee and other litigation costs reasonably incurred.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at scstatehouse.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2020
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Carson v. Emergency MD LLC (District Court, D. South Carolina 2020)“…ation of this chapter has a civil cause of action . . . .” S.C. Code Ann. § 17-30-135(A). Moreover, the SCHSA’s list of proh…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: South Carolina Employee Monitoring Laws: Workplace Surveillance and Social Media (2026), South Carolina Punitive Damages Laws: Cap Tiers and Proof (2026)
Explore the law
This article also draws on these acts and chapters (opening at their first section): South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 17: CRIMINAL PROCEDURES § 17-30-10 (Interception of wire, electronic, or oral communications authorized)
Related law for further reading — not part of this article’s citations.
Sources and References
- S.C. Code 16-17-470 - Eavesdropping, peeping, voyeurism(scstatehouse.gov).gov
- S.C. Code Title 17, Chapter 30 - Interception of Wire, Electronic, or Oral Communications(scstatehouse.gov).gov
- S.C. Code 17-30-20 - Prohibited acts (unlawful interception)(scstatehouse.gov).gov
- S.C. Code 17-30-30 - Lawful interceptions (one-party consent)(scstatehouse.gov).gov
- S.C. Code 17-30-50 - Penalty for wiretapping violations(scstatehouse.gov).gov
- S.C. Code 17-30-135 - Civil action for wrongful interceptions(scstatehouse.gov).gov
- H.3042 (2025-2026) - Eavesdropping, Peeping, and Voyeurism amendment(scstatehouse.gov).gov
- H.4675 (2025-2026) - South Carolina Community Data Protection and Responsible Surveillance Act(scstatehouse.gov).gov
- National Labor Relations Act(nlrb.gov).gov