{{Refimprove|date=February 2011}} A '''monitor filter''' is an accessory to the computer display to filter out the light reflected from the smooth glass surface of a CRT or flat panel display.<ref name=kruegle2006/> Many also include a ground to dissipate static buildup. A secondary use for monitor filters is privacy as they decrease the viewing angle of a monitor, preventing it from being viewed from the side; in this case, they are also called '''privacy screens'''. <gallery> File:Limanerp.jpg | privacy screen (microscope photo) File:Blickschutzangitterp.gif | The operating principle of a slat protection film (drawing) </gallery> The standard type of anti-glare filter consists of a coating that reduces the reflection from a glass or plastic surface.<ref name=anshel2005/> These are manufactured from polycarbonate or acrylic plastic.<ref name=kruegle2006/> An older variety of anti-glare filter used a mesh filter that had the appearance of a nylon screen. Although effective, a mesh filter also caused degradation of the image quality.<ref name=anshel2005/>
Marketing names of privacy filters: * HP's "SureView"<ref>{{Cite web|title=HP SureView Whitepaper|url=https://whp-aus2.cold.extweb.hp.com/pub/caps-softpaq/cmit/whitepapers/HPSureViewWhitepaper.pdf|website=hp.com}}</ref> * Lenovo's "PrivacyGuard"<ref>{{Cite web|title=ThinkPad PrivacyGuard with PrivacyAlert|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k9kFZHqL30 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/5k9kFZHqL30 |archive-date=2021-12-14|url-status=live|website=youtube.com| date=28 April 2020 |publisher=Lenovo}}{{cbignore}}</ref> * Dell's "SafeScreen"
Support for privacy screen is available since Linux kernel 5.17 that expose it through Direct Rendering Manager and is used by GNOME 42.
Support for hotkey handling for toggling the privacy screen was added in Linux kernel 6.18.<ref>{{cite web |title=Linux 6.18 Lands Electronic Privacy Screen Hotkey Handling For Some Dell Laptops |url=https://www.phoronix.com/news/Linux-6.18-Electronic-Privacy |website=www.phoronix.com |access-date=6 November 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
==References== <references>
<ref name=anshel2005>{{cite book | first=Jeffrey | last=Anshel | year=2005 | page=56 | title=Visual ergonomics handbook | publisher=CRC Press | isbn=1-56670-682-3}}</ref>
<ref name=kruegle2006>{{cite book | first=Herman | last=Kruegle | pages=271–272 | title=CCTV surveillance: analog and digital video practices and technology | edition=2nd | publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann | year=2006 | isbn=0-7506-7768-6 }}</ref>
</references>
Category:Display technology Category:Ergonomics
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