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.

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=== Paywalling of screenshots ===

Screenshot blocking can be potentially capitalized on by app makers. This means they block the user from taking screenshots and graciously ~~allow it~~ if the user pays a fee.

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 ===

Earlier in 2025, 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 is 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 ===

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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.
@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 === Paywalling of screenshots ===
-Screenshot blocking can be potentially capitalized on by app makers. This means they block the user from taking screenshots and graciously allow it if the user pays a fee.
+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 ===
-Earlier in 2025, 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 is 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 ===
@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 </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 61: / Line 61: @@
 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.