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. | '''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: | Companies tend to block screenshots for the following reasons: | ||
'''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''' | |||
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''' | |||
=== 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | ||
=== Paywalling of screenshots === | ===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. | 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 == | ==Incidents== | ||
=== ALDI TALK === | ===ALDI TALK=== | ||
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. | 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: | The developers of [[WhatsApp]] have threatened with blocking screenshots inside chats with "advanced chat privacy" enabled: | ||