DjelicS/iStock/Getty Images PlusZDNET’s key takeaways
- If you’ve said you have ‘nothing to hide,’ do you still want device privacy?
- New research finds those who say it are actually more likely to spy on others.
- Stop others from snooping on your smartphone by following the advice below.
Most of us have heard the phrase, “I have nothing to hide.”
Outside of TV police dramas, we use it at home and work, too — especially in situations where we might have been accused of something.
Also: The 10-step phone security tune-up you should run every year
However, according to research by data removal service Incogni, those who say they have “nothing to hide” are far more likely to have secretly spied upon someone else’s phone or laptop in public.
I have nothing to hide, but do you?
Published on Thursday, Incogni’s survey, which included 1,517 adult respondents in the US, highlights several interesting behavioral trends. It’s not just about the phrase itself, but the attitude of different generations toward device privacy. Here are key findings:
- 42% of respondents who say they “have nothing to hide” admit to spying on someone’s phone or laptop screen in public, compared with 27% of those who say they have something to hide (and therefore expect privacy).
- Gen Z is the most likely to snoop on someone else’s screen (49%), followed by 43% of Millennials and only 14% of Baby Boomers.
- In total, 41% of the have-nothing-to-hide group have looked through a partner’s phone without permission, and 35% said they have done the same with a family member’s smartphone, compared to 29% and 17% of those who claimed otherwise, respectively.
- Familiarity also seems to play a part. Around half of those surveyed overall said they wouldn’t mind a close family member or partner looking through their device, but 60% said they would refuse any amount of money to let a stranger access their devices.
Nothing to hide, but still keen on privacy
This study highlights an interesting contradiction — there’s nothing for me to hide, but I don’t mind looking at others’ devices, and I still want privacy. Or perhaps the saying is a knee-jerk reaction tied to the feeling that wanting privacy equals secretiveness and guilt.
Also: Incogni review: The easiest way to remove myself from the internet took seconds
In the nothing-to-hide group, for example, 39% physically cover their device cameras, a practice most common among Gen Z and Millennials. In addition, 26% of respondents say they obscure personal information when signing up for online accounts, including using fake names, dates of birth, and masked email addresses.
If we take away one thing from this survey, it’s that everyone has a right to privacy, and it shouldn’t be tied to feelings of guilt. In the same breath, claiming we have nothing to hide doesn’t give us the right to spy on others’ devices. After all, we all have some things we’d rather keep private.
6 ways to improve your smartphone privacy
Whether or not someone would admit to snooping on your smartphone, there are several ways to lock down your device and improve your privacy. Here are some simple tips to immediately reduce the risk of your data falling into the wrong hands.
- Run a security check: We recommend running a security check on your smartphone at least once a year, but preferably more frequently. Check out our guide and pay particular attention to the physical security section; make sure you have a lock screen enabled with a PIN or biometrics, and that device encryption is on by default.
- Protect your physical screen: Consider purchasing a screen protector that narrows your viewing angle and stops people looking over your shoulder from seeing your display clearly.
- Keep your smartphone up to date: Accept software and app updates, as they often include security fixes and functional improvements. It’s good practice to keep your devices updated, so you are as protected as possible.
- Delete unwanted apps: If you no longer use a mobile app, uninstall it. Every app requires some form of permissions and access to data, which could include your contacts, messages, location, and more, and so removing old apps reduces the potential attack surface.
- Examine your settings: We recommend enabling two-factor authentication, biometrics, and smartphone recovery services wherever possible. Go through your settings and check that there are no nasty surprises, such as apps with far too many permissions, data sharing with third parties, or always-on location tracking.
- Run a malware scan: Mobile malware is pretty rare compared to desktop PCs and laptops, but an occasional scan won’t hurt. There are plenty of mobile antivirus solutions out there, free and paid, for you to choose from.
Lastly, if you are going to an event or location where the data on your device could be used against you — such as at a protest — read on to find out how to lock down your smartphone.
