Samsung is taking aim at one of the most common modern privacy problems: people casually reading your screen in public.
The company today previewed a new feature designed to stop “shoulder surfing,” or the awkward moment when someone sitting next to you on a train can see your messages, passwords, or notifications.
Samsung didn’t get too technical yet, but the idea is simple. Galaxy users will be able to control what others around them can view on-screen depending on the situation. You could enable stronger protection for certain apps, or automatically blur content while entering a PIN, passcode, or password.
A built-in privacy shield for your screen
Samsung says the feature will offer multiple visibility settings, letting you adjust how much of your display is hidden from side angles. It may even allow users to block specific areas, like notification pop-ups, so sensitive info does not appear in plain sight.
Screenshots shared by tipster Ice Universe suggest the phone’s notification area can blank out when viewed from an angle, meaning you can still see it head-on, but someone next to you cannot.
If this works as advertised, it could reduce the need for physical privacy screen protectors, since the protection would be built directly into the phone using a mix of hardware and software.
Samsung is expected to launch the feature alongside its upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra, which reports suggest could debut at an event in February.
No firm release date yet, but it’s a smart move. Our phones are personal, and we use them everywhere. Samsung seems to be betting that privacy should travel with you too.
