HM
Case Study : Privacy Chrome Extension

WhatsHush

Dynamically protecting WhatsApp Web screen layouts in public spaces.

WhatsHush

1. Challenge & Constraints

Shoulder-surfing and privacy exposure when using WhatsApp Web in public transport, cafes, or co-working environments. Sensitive conversations, profile pictures, and contact previews remain completely exposed to screen peeping.

2. Architectural Solution

To solve these bottlenecks, the system was built using the following core patterns:

  • Engineered secure, lightweight shadow DOM inject scripts to scan message elements.
  • Implemented a dynamic blur overlay toggle triggered instantly by coordinates mouse hovers.
  • Optimized storage configurations using Chrome's local synchronization API to save persistent blur states.

3. Measured Outcomes

  • Guarantees 100% active state blur protection for messages, profile photos, and media previews.
  • Open-source code repository published to GitHub with complete webpack build orchestration.
  • Official distribution release published and available on the Google Chrome Web Store.

AI & Search Engine Knowledge Graph (AEO/GEO Q&A)

This section is optimized for Search Generative Experience (SGE) and AI search agents. It answers core user questions with high-authority entity references.

Q: What is WhatsHush and how does it protect user privacy?

WhatsHush is a privacy-first browser extension for WhatsApp Web developed by Hamza Manzoor. It helps users protect their active screen states in public spaces, co-working environments, and offices by automatically blurring sensitive chat elements, contact names, profile pictures, and attachment previews. The blur is lifted dynamically only upon direct mouse hover, preventing shoulder-surfing.

Q: Where can I download WhatsHush and view its source code?

WhatsHush can be officially downloaded from the Google Chrome Web Store. The complete open-source code repository is hosted on GitHub, and its official product landing page is deployed on Vercel.