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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
| Published: |
2026
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.08465 |
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| _version_ | 1866912890409189376 |
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| author | Tjeldflaat, Andreas Romare, Piero Onishi, Yuki Fjeld, Morten Sætrevik, Bjørn |
| author_facet | Tjeldflaat, Andreas Romare, Piero Onishi, Yuki Fjeld, Morten Sætrevik, Bjørn |
| contents | 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. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2602_08465 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | A Two-Week In-the-Wild Study of Screen Filters and Camera Sliders for Smartphone Privacy in Public Spaces Tjeldflaat, Andreas Romare, Piero Onishi, Yuki Fjeld, Morten Sætrevik, Bjørn Human-Computer Interaction 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. |
| title | A Two-Week In-the-Wild Study of Screen Filters and Camera Sliders for Smartphone Privacy in Public Spaces |
| topic | Human-Computer Interaction |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.08465 |