Coast Guard personnel shall not engage in what activity?

• A. Clandestine, surreptitious, or other covert use of telephone recording, listening, or monitoring equipment
• B. Publicly sharing communications with family
• C. Recording with consent of all parties
• D. Monitoring only with a warrant

Answer: (A)

This question centers on privacy and lawful surveillance. Coast Guard personnel must avoid covert recording or listening because clandestine, surreptitious, or covert use of telephone recording or monitoring equipment violates privacy, runs counter to policy, and can breach applicable laws. Surveillance that is authorized should be transparent and limited to proper authority—typically with the consent of all parties involved or with a valid warrant. Recording with everyone’s consent is appropriate and legal, and monitoring conducted under a warrant is an accepted, lawful basis for surveillance. Tracking or sharing communications without consent is not appropriate, whereas covert activity is specifically prohibited.