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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<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. This takes even more control away from the device owner. | 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 == | ==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. | 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 /> | ||