Privacy protection

Protecting your confidential printed documents

Unfortunately, there is no real effective protection against someone viewing your printed documents (except for maybe using a very small font). Make especially sure that no one can look over your shoulder or carry the documents in an envelope when you are underway.

The case of Julian Assange from 2012 (http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/25/world/europe/uk-assange-police/) illustrates the potential consequences of carrying confidential documents around in public.

Protection for smartphones, laptops and other mobile devices

Privacy screens are available for smartphones, as well as laptops. For smartphones these are films that adhere to the display. For laptops, a privacy screen is inserted into a holder installed in front of the display, which can be removed at any time.

You can also sit with your back to the wall, which makes it easier to notice if someone is trying to glance at your work from the side.

Eavesdropping protection during confidential phone calls

Even if you believe the people around you have no interest in the content of your discussions, you should still refrain from conducting confidential telephone calls in public.

For one thing, there still might be people in the vicinity who are interested in what you are discussing. Secondly, by law you are obligated to secrecy when it comes to work-related telephone discussions.

If needed, call the other party back from a quiet location.