AI-powered app Granola records conversations without consent, sparking privacy concerns

AI transcription tools are being used to covertly record private conversations, from corporate meetings to first dates, medical visits and therapy sessions. The Granola app, valued at $1.5 billion after a $125 million funding round in early 2026, captures audio directly from a device’s microphone without notifying participants, allowing users to send transcripts to large‑language‑model services for analysis.

Industry figures such as Michelle Lim, CEO of Flint, and Emmie Chang, founder of Yuzu Labs, admit to employing the technology for personal and professional purposes. In several U.S. states, including California, Florida, Illinois and Pennsylvania, recording a conversation without the consent of all parties may violate wire‑tapping laws, raising serious privacy and legal questions about the unchecked spread of AI‑driven surveillance.