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, meaning 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.

== How it works ==

==How it works==

Companies tend to block screenshots for the following reasons:

* '''Protecting sensitive information'''

'''Protecting sensitive information'''

** Apps that handle financial data (banks, payment apps) or confidential documents may block screenshots to reduce the risk of accidental data leaks.

** Screenshots could be captured and shared without consent, which could expose personal information like account numbers or passwords.

* '''Content protection and licensing'''

Apps that handle financial data (banks, payment apps) or confidential documents may block screenshots to reduce the risk of accidental data leaks. Screenshots could be captured and shared without consent, which could expose personal information like account numbers or passwords.

** Media apps (~~streaming services~~, ~~e-books, and some news~~ apps) ~~sometimes~~ block screenshots ~~or recordings~~ to ~~prevent piracy or unauthorized redistribution~~ of ~~copyrighted content~~. ~~Examples include Netflix~~ and ~~Spotify. However, there are legitimate uses such as quotations~~, which ~~falls under fair use~~.

* '''~~Privacy of other users~~'''

'''Content protection and licensing'''

** Messaging apps may prevent screenshots in certain contexts to protect the privacy of the other party. One such example are "disappearing messages" in WhatsApp. However, if someone doesn't trust someone to keep something secret, one shouldn't send it in the first place, just as one would not tell them in real life.

* '''Regulatory or ~~contractual requirements'''~~

Media apps (streaming services, e-books, and some news apps) sometimes block screenshots or recordings to prevent piracy or unauthorized redistribution of copyrighted content. Examples include Netflix and Spotify. However, there are legitimate uses such as quotations, which falls under fair use.

** In some industries, companies must comply with legal rules around data protection or ~~digital~~ content ~~licensing~~, which ~~may include preventing local copies from being made~~.

~~== Why it is a problem ==~~

'''Privacy of other users'''

=== Impedes ownership ===

Messaging apps may prevent screenshots in certain contexts to protect the privacy of the other party. One such example are "disappearing messages" in WhatsApp. However, if someone doesn't trust someone to keep something secret, one shouldn't send it in the first place, just as one would not tell them in real life.

'''Regulatory or contractual requirements'''

In some industries, companies must comply with legal rules around data protection or digital content licensing, which may include preventing local copies from being made.

==Why it is a problem==

===Impedes ownership===

On desktop operating systems like Windows and Linux, users have always been able to take screenshots or recordings of whatever is on their screen, without programs being able to block it. By contrast, many mobile apps restrict or disable this feature. This raises concerns because it limits a device owner’s ability to fully use their own phone. Since a smartphone is personal property, users should retain control over its features, including the ability to capture their own screen, rather than having that choice dictated by app developers.

=== Overuse ===

===Overuse===

Some apps implement screenshot blocking in situations where it is unnecessary. For example, since 2018, Chrome has blocked screenshots while in incognito mode. It is unclear what this restriction is meant to protect against, given that incognito browsing already functions by not saving history or cookies.

There are also many legitimate reasons to take a screenshot in incognito mode. Developers may need to capture how a website looks to first-time visitors, or users might want to save information temporarily without adding it to their browsing history. In these cases, blocking screenshots serves no meaningful security purpose and only prevents the device owner from using their phone’s features as intended.

== Incidents ==

===Paywalling of screenshots ===

Screenshot blocking can be potentially capitalized on by app makers. This means they block the user from taking screenshots and then 'graciously' re-enable screenshots if the user pays a fee.

==Incidents==

=== ALDI TALK ===

===ALDI TALK===

Earlier ~~this year~~, the German cellular provider ALDI TALK blocked screenshots throughout its entire app. The app displays information such as how much high-speed data a subscriber has remaining. Blocking screenshots of such basic information seems unnecessary, and applying the restriction across the entire app because some “private” content might appear in certain sections ~~appears~~ excessive.

Earlier in 2025, the German cellular provider ALDI TALK blocked screenshots throughout its entire app.{{CitationNeeded}} The app displays information such as how much high-speed data a subscriber has remaining. Blocking screenshots of such basic information seems unnecessary, and applying the restriction across the entire app because some “private” content might appear in certain sections is excessive.

=== Whatsapp ===

===Whatsapp===

The developers of [[WhatsApp]] have threatened with blocking screenshots inside chats with "advanced chat privacy" enabled:

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</blockquote>[[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.

==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.

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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~~.

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). If users wish to guarantee that their screen recorder software does not contain spyware, they can utilise open source screen recorders.

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.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{ToneWarning}}{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Makes specific claims without citations}}{{SloppyAI}}
+{{ToneWarning}}{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Makes specific claims without citations}}
 '''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, meaning 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.
-== How it works ==
+==How it works==
 Companies tend to block screenshots for the following reasons:
-* '''Protecting sensitive information'''
+'''Protecting sensitive information'''
-** Apps that handle financial data (banks, payment apps) or confidential documents may block screenshots to reduce the risk of accidental data leaks.
-** Screenshots could be captured and shared without consent, which could expose personal information like account numbers or passwords.
-* '''Content protection and licensing'''
+Apps that handle financial data (banks, payment apps) or confidential documents may block screenshots to reduce the risk of accidental data leaks. Screenshots could be captured and shared without consent, which could expose personal information like account numbers or passwords.
-** Media apps (streaming services, e-books, and some news apps) sometimes block screenshots or recordings to prevent piracy or unauthorized redistribution of copyrighted content. Examples include Netflix and Spotify. However, there are legitimate uses such as quotations, which falls under fair use.
-* '''Privacy of other users'''
+'''Content protection and licensing'''
-** Messaging apps may prevent screenshots in certain contexts to protect the privacy of the other party. One such example are "disappearing messages" in WhatsApp. However, if someone doesn't trust someone to keep something secret, one shouldn't send it in the first place, just as one would not tell them in real life.
-* '''Regulatory or contractual requirements'''
+Media apps (streaming services, e-books, and some news apps) sometimes block screenshots or recordings to prevent piracy or unauthorized redistribution of copyrighted content. Examples include Netflix and Spotify. However, there are legitimate uses such as quotations, which falls under fair use.
-** In some industries, companies must comply with legal rules around data protection or digital content licensing, which may include preventing local copies from being made.
-== Why it is a problem ==
+'''Privacy of other users'''
-=== Impedes ownership ===
+Messaging apps may prevent screenshots in certain contexts to protect the privacy of the other party. One such example are "disappearing messages" in WhatsApp. However, if someone doesn't trust someone to keep something secret, one shouldn't send it in the first place, just as one would not tell them in real life.
+'''Regulatory or contractual requirements'''
+In some industries, companies must comply with legal rules around data protection or digital content licensing, which may include preventing local copies from being made.
+==Why it is a problem==
+===Impedes ownership===
 On desktop operating systems like Windows and Linux, users have always been able to take screenshots or recordings of whatever is on their screen, without programs being able to block it. By contrast, many mobile apps restrict or disable this feature. This raises concerns because it limits a device owner’s ability to fully use their own phone. Since a smartphone is personal property, users should retain control over its features, including the ability to capture their own screen, rather than having that choice dictated by app developers.
-=== Overuse ===
+===Overuse===
 Some apps implement screenshot blocking in situations where it is unnecessary. For example, since 2018, Chrome has blocked screenshots while in incognito mode. It is unclear what this restriction is meant to protect against, given that incognito browsing already functions by not saving history or cookies.
 There are also many legitimate reasons to take a screenshot in incognito mode. Developers may need to capture how a website looks to first-time visitors, or users might want to save information temporarily without adding it to their browsing history. In these cases, blocking screenshots serves no meaningful security purpose and only prevents the device owner from using their phone’s features as intended.
-== Incidents ==
+===Paywalling of screenshots ===
+Screenshot blocking can be potentially capitalized on by app makers. This means they block the user from taking screenshots and then 'graciously' re-enable screenshots if the user pays a fee.
+==Incidents==
-=== ALDI TALK ===
+===ALDI TALK===
-Earlier this year, the German cellular provider ALDI TALK blocked screenshots throughout its entire app. The app displays information such as how much high-speed data a subscriber has remaining. Blocking screenshots of such basic information seems unnecessary, and applying the restriction across the entire app because some “private” content might appear in certain sections appears excessive.
+Earlier in 2025, the German cellular provider ALDI TALK blocked screenshots throughout its entire app.{{CitationNeeded}} The app displays information such as how much high-speed data a subscriber has remaining. Blocking screenshots of such basic information seems unnecessary, and applying the restriction across the entire app because some “private” content might appear in certain sections is excessive.
-=== Whatsapp ===
+===Whatsapp===
 The developers of [[WhatsApp]] have threatened with blocking screenshots inside chats with "advanced chat privacy" enabled:
@@ Line 39: / Line 45: @@
 </blockquote>[[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.
-==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.
@@ Line 58: / Line 64: @@
 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.
+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). If users wish to guarantee that their screen recorder software does not contain spyware, they can utilise open source screen recorders.
 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.