What Is a Privacy Film?
Privacy film is a specialty film applied to the LCD screens of devices like computers, tablets, and smartphones. It aligns light emitted from the screen in a specific direction, preventing side-viewing and thereby safeguarding sensitive information. The cost of privacy film varies depending on size.
With the prevalence of online transactions and the need to protect information such as passwords, the demand for privacy film has increased significantly.
Applications of Privacy Film
Privacy film is widely used to restrict the visibility of screen contents from side angles. It is essential in crowded places like trains or public spaces, ensuring screen contents are visible only to the user. Additionally, its use extends to public facilities, government offices, hospital terminals, and ATMs, where privacy is paramount.
Besides privacy protection, the film offers benefits like screen protection against impacts and blue light reduction, which minimizes eye strain.
Functionality of Privacy Film
Privacy film operates through a fine stripe structure known as louvers, which direct light in a certain way. The arrangement of these louvers, in terms of thickness, spacing, and angle, defines the film’s properties like viewing angle and light transmittance. The film, coated with PET or strengthened glass, is durable and has a specific visible angle, typically between 48 and 60 degrees.
It also reduces glare and makes fingerprints less noticeable, though it may slightly darken LCD colors. The film usually has a correct installation orientation, with the shaded side facing outward.
Varieties of Privacy Film
Privacy film is available in two types: those blocking view from left and right (180-degree) and those obstructing view from all directions (360-degree). The 180-degree films are generally brighter and preferred if screen brightness is a concern.
For smartphones, the film directly adheres to the LCD and comes in removable and non-removable variants. Smartphone films may also have antibacterial properties. For computers, films are commonly designed for direct screen application, often with accessories for easy attachment and removal. The typical thickness of privacy film is about 0.3 mm, ensuring minimal visibility when applied.