Getting your phone fixed is usually a straightforward process: you pay, they repair, and you walk away with a working device.
But for one Malaysian man, what should’ve been a routine LCD replacement allegedly turned into something far more unsettling. He claimed it was an invasion of his digital privacy.
A routine repair that took a wrong turn
In a viral TikTok video posted by user @dekk.mar, he claimed that a phone repair shop in Shah Alam went through his personal photo gallery without permission while fixing his phone.
The breach came to light after he noticed signs that his files, specifically those in his ‘Hidden’ album, had allegedly been accessed.
The man explained that he had willingly handed over his phone’s password to staff to carry out the screen repair.
However, what he didn’t expect was for the workers to scroll through his private photo albums.
“They went too far without asking”
According to him, a staff member later justified the action by saying they needed to check a recent photo to test the camera’s functionality. But the man wasn’t buying it.
They said it was to check the camera function, but why dig all the way into my hidden album without asking me first?”
What made matters worse was that his gallery contained screenshots of sensitive information like bank account passwords and social media logins, stored as images for convenience.
Confrontation caught on camera
Frustrated by the lack of respect for his privacy, the man returned to the shop, recorded a video of the premises, and confronted the staff. In the clip, he can be heard questioning their actions and demanding an explanation.
He later said he shared the video not to create drama, but as a public warning for others who might unknowingly find themselves in the same situation.
If you’re thinking of sending your phone here, be cautious. Your device might get hacked too,” he said.
“Next time, lock your gallery apps”
The incident quickly sparked debate online. Many commenters sympathised with the man, saying his privacy had clearly been violated. Some encouraged him to file a police report, while others offered advice on how to better safeguard personal data.
“Next time, lock your gallery apps. Can’t trust everyone,” said another.
Others suggested using app-locking tools for apps like Gallery, WhatsApp, or Notes, especially when handing over devices for repair.
While most supported the man, a few commenters downplayed the situation. Some implied he may have been overreacting or had something to hide. But these opinions were quickly shut down by those who defended the importance of digital boundaries.
“I don’t trust phone shops like this anymore,” one user commented, echoing the concerns of many others.