A Two-Week In-the-Wild Study of Screen Filters and Camera Sliders for Smartphone Privacy in Public Spaces

Smartphone usage in public spaces can raise privacy concerns, in terms of shoulder surfing and unintended camera capture. In real-world public space settings, we investigated the impact of tangible privacy-enhancing tools (here: screen filter and camera slider) on smartphone users’ reported privacy perception, behavioral adaptations, usability and social dynamics. We conducted a mixed-method, in-the-wild study (N = 22) using off-the-shelf smartphone privacy tools. We investigated subjective behavioral transition by combining questionnaires with semi-structured interviews. Participants used the screen filter and the camera slider for two weeks; they reported changes in attitude and behavior after using a screen filter including screen visibility and comfort when using phones publicly. They explained decreased privacy-protective behaviors, such as actively covering their screens, suggesting a shift in perceived risk. Qualitative findings about the camera slider suggested underlying psychological mechanisms, including privacy awareness and concerns about social perception, while also offering insights regarding the tools’ effectiveness.