Screenshot blocking: Difference between revisions
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'''Screenshot blocking''' prevents the owner of a computing device from capturing screenshots and screen recordings. Some operating systems such as Android OS and iOS let app makers block device owners from capturing screenshots and screen recordings, meanign device owners are at the mercy of app makers to allow screenshots. This ownership violation is usually excused with "protecting your privacy". Here are reasons why that is not the case, and how this feature is severely misused. | '''Screenshot blocking''' prevents the owner of a computing device from capturing screenshots and screen recordings. Some operating systems such as Android OS and iOS let app makers block device owners from capturing screenshots and screen recordings, meanign device owners are at the mercy of app makers to allow screenshots. This ownership violation is usually excused with "protecting your privacy". Here are reasons why that is not the case, and how this feature is severely misused. | ||
== It violates your ownership. == | ==It violates your ownership.== | ||
As the owner of your smartphone, you shouldn't be at the mercy of app developers to graciously let you to take screenshots or screen recordings. Your smartphone is your property. You should have the final authority on what happens on your smartphone. Don't accept screenshot blocking like it's a normal thing. It wasn't on desktop (Windows, Linux), so it shouldn't be on mobile. | As the owner of your smartphone, you shouldn't be at the mercy of app developers to graciously let you to take screenshots or screen recordings. Your smartphone is your property. You should have the final authority on what happens on your smartphone. Don't accept screenshot blocking like it's a normal thing. It wasn't on desktop (Windows, Linux), so it shouldn't be on mobile. | ||
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No app should have the authority to prevent you from doing what you want with your smartphone. You should have control over what happens on your phone. No app should be able to prevent you from using certain features of your device. You paid for it, so it is your property. | No app should have the authority to prevent you from doing what you want with your smartphone. You should have control over what happens on your phone. No app should be able to prevent you from using certain features of your device. You paid for it, so it is your property. | ||
== It's a local file. == | ==It's a local file.== | ||
When you take a screenshot, the screenshot is stored locally inside the encrypted internal storage of your smartphone, protected with your lockscreen credentials. It is not going to be sent to anyone unless you manually chose to do it. As a local file, it remains fully under your control. | When you take a screenshot, the screenshot is stored locally inside the encrypted internal storage of your smartphone, protected with your lockscreen credentials. It is not going to be sent to anyone unless you manually chose to do it. As a local file, it remains fully under your control. | ||
Anyone determined enough can still photograph the screen from an external device. The only difference is that it is in a lower quality, but for alphanumerical stuff like banking details and text-based messages, that doesn't matter. | Anyone determined enough can still photograph the screen from an external device. The only difference is that it is in a lower quality, but for alphanumerical stuff like banking details and text-based messages, that doesn't matter. | ||
== Apps overuse it. == | ==Apps overuse it.== | ||
Apps use screenshot blocking where it isn't necessary. | Apps use screenshot blocking where it isn't necessary. | ||
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Since earlier this year, the German cellular network provider ALDI TALK also blocked screenshots in their entire app. The app shows statistics such as how many gigabytes of high-speed cellular data the subscriber has left. Why not let the user have screenshots of the bar that shows what percentage of cellular data they have left? And why block screenshots in the '''entire''' app just because "private stuff" may appear somewhere (for example when booking a new plan)? It is clearly being overused. | Since earlier this year, the German cellular network provider ALDI TALK also blocked screenshots in their entire app. The app shows statistics such as how many gigabytes of high-speed cellular data the subscriber has left. Why not let the user have screenshots of the bar that shows what percentage of cellular data they have left? And why block screenshots in the '''entire''' app just because "private stuff" may appear somewhere (for example when booking a new plan)? It is clearly being overused. | ||
The developers of [[WhatsApp]] have threatened with blocking chats | The developers of [[WhatsApp]] have threatened with blocking screenshots inside chats with "advanced chat privacy" enabled: | ||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
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<ref>[http://archive.today/2025.07.07-200053/https://cybersecuritynews.com/whatsapp-advanced-chat-privacy-feature/ WhatsApp’s New Advanced Chat Privacy Feature to Protect Sensitive Conversations]</ref> | <ref>[http://archive.today/2025.07.07-200053/https://cybersecuritynews.com/whatsapp-advanced-chat-privacy-feature/ WhatsApp’s New Advanced Chat Privacy Feature to Protect Sensitive Conversations]</ref> | ||
== Private stuff does not belong in a profile picture. == | ==Private stuff does not belong in a profile picture.== | ||
[[WhatsApp]] blocked screenshots of profile pictures in 2024, excusing it with "protecting privacy".<ref>[http://archive.today/2024.12.22-151106/https://faq.whatsapp.com/1799783917198636 About profile photo screenshot blocking | WhatsApp Help Center]</ref> The reason this is dubious is that '''everyone knows putting private stuff in a visible spot on the Internet is a bad idea to begin with.''' This includes profile pictures. | [[WhatsApp]] blocked screenshots of profile pictures in 2024, excusing it with "protecting privacy".<ref>[http://archive.today/2024.12.22-151106/https://faq.whatsapp.com/1799783917198636 About profile photo screenshot blocking | WhatsApp Help Center]</ref> The reason this is dubious is that '''everyone knows putting private stuff in a visible spot on the Internet is a bad idea to begin with.''' This includes profile pictures. | ||
If you don't want people to preserve something, you do not make it public. Simple as that. This is a long-standing convention that every Internet user should be aware of. | If you don't want people to preserve something, you do not make it public. Simple as that. This is a long-standing convention that every Internet user should be aware of. | ||
== It can be capitalized on. == | ==It can be capitalized on.== | ||
It is only a matter of time until app makers will paywall screenshots. They disable a feature of your device and graciously let you use it if you pay up. For example, they might create a "WhatsApp Premium" subscription that graciously lets you screenshot chats marked with "advanced chat privacy". This will take a dystopian direction. | It is only a matter of time until app makers will paywall screenshots. They disable a feature of your device and graciously let you use it if you pay up. For example, they might create a "WhatsApp Premium" subscription that graciously lets you screenshot chats marked with "advanced chat privacy". This will take a dystopian direction. | ||
== External displays == | ==External displays== | ||
The "SECURE" flag on Android is responsible for screenshot blocking and screen recording blocking. However, it has another purpose: It prevents content from appearing on external displays such as HDMI and Miracast (over-the-air screen mirroring). | The "SECURE" flag on Android is responsible for screenshot blocking and screen recording blocking. However, it has another purpose: It prevents content from appearing on external displays such as HDMI and Miracast (over-the-air screen mirroring). | ||
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In any case, the device owner must have the final say. | In any case, the device owner must have the final say. | ||
== Third-party screen recorders == | ==Third-party screen recorders== | ||
Another reason cited for screenshot/screen recorder blocking is the narrow possibility that third-party screen recorder apps contain spyware. | Another reason cited for screenshot/screen recorder blocking is the narrow possibility that third-party screen recorder apps contain spyware. | ||
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In any case, there is no reason to block the '''built-in''' screenshot and screen recording tools just because misbehaving third-party apps may be out there. | In any case, there is no reason to block the '''built-in''' screenshot and screen recording tools just because misbehaving third-party apps may be out there. | ||
== Screenshot events == | ==Screenshot events== | ||
Android 14 has added a "screenshot event" and Android 15 a "screen recording event". This makes it easy for apps to notice if the owner takes a screenshot or screen recording, and alter their behaviour accordingly. | Android 14 has added a "screenshot event" and Android 15 a "screen recording event". This makes it easy for apps to notice if the owner takes a screenshot or screen recording, and alter their behaviour accordingly. This takes even more control away from the device owner. | ||
==Conclusion== | |||
App makers have no business preventing phone owners from taking screenshots and screen recordings on their property. Screenshot blocking gives the user the same kind of security that disconnecting the internet gives. Sure, you may be "more secure", but you lose access to a useful resource. By locking us down, Google and app makers show they think we are babies who can not take care of ourselves. | |||
The violation of your ownership outweighs any trivial privacy benefit you may get from it. Even if there was a privacy benefit, you as the device owner should have the final authority. | The violation of your ownership outweighs any trivial privacy benefit you may get from it. Even if there was a privacy benefit, you as the device owner should have the final authority. | ||
== References == | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
Latest revision as of 15:20, 7 September 2025
❗Article Status Notice: Inappropriate Tone/Word Usage
This article needs additional work to meet the wiki's Content Guidelines and be in line with our Mission Statement for comprehensive coverage of consumer protection issues. Specifically it uses wording throughout that is non-compliant with the Editorial guidelines of this wiki.
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Screenshot blocking prevents the owner of a computing device from capturing screenshots and screen recordings. Some operating systems such as Android OS and iOS let app makers block device owners from capturing screenshots and screen recordings, meanign device owners are at the mercy of app makers to allow screenshots. This ownership violation is usually excused with "protecting your privacy". Here are reasons why that is not the case, and how this feature is severely misused.
It violates your ownership.[edit | edit source]
As the owner of your smartphone, you shouldn't be at the mercy of app developers to graciously let you to take screenshots or screen recordings. Your smartphone is your property. You should have the final authority on what happens on your smartphone. Don't accept screenshot blocking like it's a normal thing. It wasn't on desktop (Windows, Linux), so it shouldn't be on mobile.
On desktop operating systems, it has long been taken for granted that you can screenshot whatever appears on your screen. No program can prevent you from doing so. Why shouldn't it be the same on mobile?
No app should have the authority to prevent you from doing what you want with your smartphone. You should have control over what happens on your phone. No app should be able to prevent you from using certain features of your device. You paid for it, so it is your property.
It's a local file.[edit | edit source]
When you take a screenshot, the screenshot is stored locally inside the encrypted internal storage of your smartphone, protected with your lockscreen credentials. It is not going to be sent to anyone unless you manually chose to do it. As a local file, it remains fully under your control.
Anyone determined enough can still photograph the screen from an external device. The only difference is that it is in a lower quality, but for alphanumerical stuff like banking details and text-based messages, that doesn't matter.
Apps overuse it.[edit | edit source]
Apps use screenshot blocking where it isn't necessary.
Since 2018, Chrome blocks screenshots in incognito mode. What exactly is this supposed to protect against?
There are legitimate reasons to capture screenshots in incognito mode, such in web development, for capturing how a web page appears to first-time mobile visitors. There is no reason not to let the device owner take a screenshot or screen recording if they want to.
Since earlier this year, the German cellular network provider ALDI TALK also blocked screenshots in their entire app. The app shows statistics such as how many gigabytes of high-speed cellular data the subscriber has left. Why not let the user have screenshots of the bar that shows what percentage of cellular data they have left? And why block screenshots in the entire app just because "private stuff" may appear somewhere (for example when booking a new plan)? It is clearly being overused.
The developers of WhatsApp have threatened with blocking screenshots inside chats with "advanced chat privacy" enabled:
The company has stated that this is the first iteration of the feature, with plans to introduce even more robust protections in future updates, potentially including measures to block screenshots.
Private stuff does not belong in a profile picture.[edit | edit source]
WhatsApp blocked screenshots of profile pictures in 2024, excusing it with "protecting privacy".[2] The reason this is dubious is that everyone knows putting private stuff in a visible spot on the Internet is a bad idea to begin with. This includes profile pictures.
If you don't want people to preserve something, you do not make it public. Simple as that. This is a long-standing convention that every Internet user should be aware of.
It can be capitalized on.[edit | edit source]
It is only a matter of time until app makers will paywall screenshots. They disable a feature of your device and graciously let you use it if you pay up. For example, they might create a "WhatsApp Premium" subscription that graciously lets you screenshot chats marked with "advanced chat privacy". This will take a dystopian direction.
External displays[edit | edit source]
The "SECURE" flag on Android is responsible for screenshot blocking and screen recording blocking. However, it has another purpose: It prevents content from appearing on external displays such as HDMI and Miracast (over-the-air screen mirroring).
Screen contents can only appear on an external screens if the smartphone owner has chosen to connect an external screen. If the owner does private stuff, they should disconnect the external screen anyway.
Ways to solve this would be to let the user chose which apps can appear on external displays, or let the user decide whether they want to hide content flagged by the app developers as "SECURE".
The "SECURE" flag is not just used to hide "sensitive" content, but also by streaming service providers to prevent screenshots and screen recordings, even though there are legitimate purposes for it (fair use). As a side effect, you can not connect your phone to a TV or monitor to watch on a big screen, so you have to hope the TV has native support for your streaming provider.
In any case, the device owner must have the final say.
Third-party screen recorders[edit | edit source]
Another reason cited for screenshot/screen recorder blocking is the narrow possibility that third-party screen recorder apps contain spyware.
Third-party apps can only capture the screen if the phone owner allows them. It would make sense to let the user decide which third-party apps can capture content marked as "SECURE". But the pre-installed screenshot and screen recording tool should never be blocked because they don't contain spyware (unless the phone maker chose to put it in, in which case you would have a much greater problem). Besides, you should only use open-source screen capturing software. This way, you can be sure it isn't spyware.
In any case, there is no reason to block the built-in screenshot and screen recording tools just because misbehaving third-party apps may be out there.
Screenshot events[edit | edit source]
Android 14 has added a "screenshot event" and Android 15 a "screen recording event". This makes it easy for apps to notice if the owner takes a screenshot or screen recording, and alter their behaviour accordingly. This takes even more control away from the device owner.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
App makers have no business preventing phone owners from taking screenshots and screen recordings on their property. Screenshot blocking gives the user the same kind of security that disconnecting the internet gives. Sure, you may be "more secure", but you lose access to a useful resource. By locking us down, Google and app makers show they think we are babies who can not take care of ourselves.
The violation of your ownership outweighs any trivial privacy benefit you may get from it. Even if there was a privacy benefit, you as the device owner should have the final authority.