4 Ways Privacy Film on Your iPhone or Mac Can Protect You
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A new Apple patent has revealed an exciting, futuristic addition to the company's devices: A built-in privacy film. While a patent is not a guarantee that the innovation is going to make it to production, there are plenty of reasons for Apple to consider a privacy screen/film/filter for iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and other devices.
Like many privacy screens already available, Apple’s version would use a light-blocking layer in between screen panels that only allows a clear view from certain angles, otherwise darkening the screen at wider angles so it’s difficult to see what someone is doing. The big difference is that Apple has included plans to make its privacy layer built-in instead of an add-on, and the company is interested in a version that works with curved screens as well.
But all of this raises an excellent question for iPhone and laptop users everywhere: Just how important is a privacy film? Does it really add much security value? Well, that depends on your situation – in some ways, privacy screens can make a significant impact. Continue reading to browse four major ways that privacy screens are marketed and what beneficial effects they can have for your MacBook, iPad or iPhone.
Visual Hacking
Many privacy filters for mobile devices are marketed based on how they might keep you secure from hacking attempts. They raise the fears of someone snooping on what you're doing from over your shoulder, on the bus or at the café, and capturing valuable information they can use to hack into your device or steal your identity later. Is this really a danger? Barely.
Most hackers would rather work with malware or eavesdrop on Wi-Fi connections instead of getting close enough to spy on someone physically. Also, they wouldn’t look at the screen to steal passwords (where passwords are hidden), they’d look at the keyboard, which isn’t covered by a privacy film on laptops, and is usually too small on smartphones. So “protection from hacking” isn’t really a concern when it comes to privacy filters.
However, there is a possibility that someone might try to steal your identity information by sneaking a peek. This may happen if you try to access bank accounts in public (never a good idea), view personal health information, and so on. If you have to deal with this info around other people, a privacy screen could help.
General Privacy
What about general privacy? After all, the word’s right in the name. And in this case, one of these privacy films can provide a lot of peace of mind. Even if you aren’t looking up sensitive personal information about yourself, you’re probably still doing a lot of things you don’t want curious people so spy on. Sending texts, composing emails, checking out photos on Instagram, to browsing Buzzfeed, there are a lot of things you just don’t want strangers to see you doing. And here a privacy film option shines, because it makes casual spying difficult or impossible.
Light Glare
What about light glare? This depends greatly on the privacy filter being used. Many film options provide at least some protection against glare with an overall screen darkening (on the downside, you may have to increase your brightness beyond where you used to have it). Some of these screens are specifically designed to cut down on glare and make your screen easier to see. Others may include features to cut down on blue light so that your screen doesn't affect your sleep pattern at night time.
There are a lot of options here, but there’s no sign that Apple will include any specific light glare features with its privacy screen. Also, Apple platforms have a built-in benefit to turn on Night Shift and cut down on blue light anyway, so it’s unlikely the privacy layer is designed to do this, too.
Business Vulnerability
In the business world, privacy concerns are a little different. First, you may be managing sensitive information that’s restricted and shouldn’t be seen by just anyone who walks past. Second, employees may be accessing information about customers on their devices, which should absolutely be protected from even casual spying. Third, protected company information tends to be more at risk for spying by competitors or hackers looking for valuable data.
That means that a good privacy screen carries more value for businesses, especially companies with mobile employees that deal with sensitive data. If Apple does bring its privacy screen to market, it’s a good bet that it will be sold to companies like this as well as consumers.