Samsung is preparing to introduce a new Galaxy privacy feature aimed at protecting users from “shoulder surfing” as smartphones are increasingly used in public spaces such as buses, lifts and queues.
The upcoming Galaxy privacy layer is designed to limit what others can see on a user’s screen, allowing people to check messages, enter passwords or view notifications without worrying about prying eyes. Samsung said the feature adds a visible layer of privacy that works alongside existing security protections on Galaxy devices.
Customisable Privacy Controls for Everyday Use
Unlike one-size-fits-all screen privacy tools, the new Galaxy privacy feature allows users to customise how and when protection is applied. According to Samsung, users can raise privacy levels for specific apps or during sensitive actions such as entering access credentials.
The system also includes adjustable visibility settings, enabling users to decide how much of their screen content is obscured based on their surroundings. Notification pop-ups can be selectively protected, offering more control over what appears on screen in public.
Samsung said the approach is intended to be flexible rather than intrusive. Users can fine-tune the settings or disable the feature entirely, depending on their comfort level and usage patterns.
“Not everyone needs the same level of privacy,” Samsung said, adding that the feature is designed to protect users “without getting in your way”.
Built on Samsung Knox Security
The new Galaxy privacy layer builds on Samsung Knox, the company’s long-running mobile security platform. For more than a decade, Knox has provided multiple layers of protection for Galaxy devices, ranging from hardware-based security such as Knox Vault to broader ecosystem defences including Knox Matrix.
Samsung described the upcoming feature as introducing “privacy at a pixel level”, extending security beyond data protection to what is physically visible on screen. The company said the development reflects the idea that privacy and security are closely linked, particularly as phones become more personalised and central to daily life.
The feature has been more than five years in development, according to Samsung. Engineers studied how people use their phones in public, what they consider private information, and how security measures can fit naturally into everyday behaviour.
Growing Focus on Mobile Privacy
The announcement comes as concerns around mobile privacy continue to grow globally. Smartphones now store personal messages, financial information and work-related data, while being used frequently in shared or crowded environments.
Industry players have increasingly focused on on-device protections that do not rely solely on software locks or cloud-based controls. Samsung’s move suggests a broader push towards making privacy visible and context-aware, rather than purely technical.
Samsung has not yet disclosed the product name, supported Galaxy models, rollout timeline or regional availability for the new privacy feature. The company said the technology will be “coming to Galaxy very soon”, with further details expected in a future announcement.
