Can an AI notetaker break attorney-client privilege?
In general, it can raise a real risk. The American Bar Association has cautioned that inviting a third-party AI notetaker into a privileged conversation may introduce an outside party and complicate confidentiality. Rules vary by jurisdiction, so consult counsel. A bot-free tool reduces the third-party surface, but that isn't legal advice.
In general, it can raise a real risk. The American Bar Association has cautioned that inviting a third-party AI notetaker into a privileged conversation may introduce an outside party and complicate confidentiality. Rules vary by jurisdiction, so consult counsel. A bot-free tool reduces the third-party surface, but that isn't legal advice.
The details
- The ABA has warned that meeting-transcription and notetaking software can create confidentiality risks; a third-party bot in a privileged call may be treated as an outside participant.
- Whether privilege is affected depends on the facts, the jurisdiction, and the vendor's data handling — so this is a question for your own counsel, not a settled rule.
- If you do use a notetaker on legal calls, review the vendor's contract, retention, and access controls, and get informed consent from everyone present.
- Reline is bot-free — capture happens locally on your device with no added participant — which reduces the third-party surface, though it's not a substitute for legal advice.
Last updated July 2026
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