New research reveals a "privacy illusion" as people feel confident their phones are private - despite admitting to screen snooping on everyone else's
LONDON, April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Brits may think their phone activity is private in public but the reality tells a different story.
New research by Samsung for the new S26 Ultra reveals a growing "privacy illusion", where smartphone users feel in control of what others can see on their screens, despite admitting just how visible that content really is. While 61% of Brits say they're 'confident' they can keep their phone use private in crowded places, nearly as many (59%) acknowledge it's easy to see other people's screens in public.
In fact, more than half (57%) admit they've accidentally glanced at a stranger's phone screen, while a further 26% confess curiosity has got the better of them. Public transport is the biggest hotspot for these moments (61%), followed by queues in shops and supermarkets (36%) and social spaces such as bars, restaurants and cafés (14%) turning everyday environments into shared digital spaces.
And it's not just harmless scrolling on display. Two in five (40%) Brits say they've seen personal content on a stranger's phone in public, from social media profiles (41%) and personal messages (32%) to online shopping (20%) and even banking details (16%). Nearly half (49%) say they've felt someone looking at their own screen, highlighting just how exposed personal information can be in public.
This gap between perception and reality is already changing behaviour. More than a third (38%) of Brits say they've avoided or delayed doing certain things on their phone in public because someone might see their screen. For more sensitive tasks, the numbers rise sharply with 65% avoiding banking activity altogether, and over half delaying entering passcodes (52%) or reading private messages (52%).
When it comes to reacting in the moment, nearly half (47%) say they would stop using their phone altogether if they felt someone was looking, while only one in ten (10%) would confront the person directly. Meanwhile, some admit they don't always look away, with 7% confessing to continuing to glance discreetly.
The findings, from a study of 1,000 UK smartphone users, highlight how public spaces have quietly become "accidental audiences", where private moments are unintentionally shared with those nearby.
To address this, the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces a built-in Privacy Display[1], a hardware-based innovation that limits side-angle viewing, ensuring on-screen content is only visible from directly in front. Designed to protect personal information without compromising the viewing experience[2]., it offers users greater control over their privacy in everyday situations.
Benjamin Braun, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Europe, said: "Your phone is one of the most personal things you own, housing your photos, your bank details, your messages and more. I use public transport almost every day, and the last thing I want is the person next to me seeing what's on my screen. That's why we built the Privacy Display into the Galaxy S26 Ultra, so what's on your screen stays yours."
Notes to Editors:
Survey of 1,000 smartphone users across UK, conducted by Censuswide.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.
[1] Requires manual activation in settings to function. Privacy Display feature is not AI-powered.
[2] When activated, some information may still be visible to others depending on the viewing environment, such as the angle or brightness. Caution is advised when exposing sensitive information.
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