[candiddevmike]

I can't help but think secret recording laws are there to protect the elite more than the common person...

[checkyoursudo]

I think it still depends on local circumstances.

For example, in Germany, a lot of the privacy culture (and therefore, laws) came about because of how the secret police terrorised the common people, for example, using secret recordings and worse (e.g., secret evidence).

But in other places, sure, I would agree with you.

[formerly_proven]

201 StGB is nowadays mostly used to prosecute people recording police actions. How... ironic.