Highlights
Ever consider the biggest threat to your security may not be a cyber criminal hiding in a dark room? What if it was the person sitting behind you on the train?
Ever felt someone’s eyes on your screen while working in a café or on the train?
That uneasy feeling—like someone’s peeking at your emails or documents—isn’t just paranoia. It’s a genuine privacy concern. Whether you're handling sensitive information or simply prefer to keep your screen to yourself, it matters.
Now, Microsoft might have a clever solution on the way.
A new feature called Onlooker Detection is reportedly in development for Windows 11. As the name suggests, it’s designed to spot when someone’s trying to sneak a glance at your screen—and alert you.
This builds on an existing Windows feature called Presence Sensing, which dims or locks your screen when you step away and wakes it up when you return (it works with Windows Hello for seamless sign-ins).
But Onlooker Detection takes things further. If someone is detected nearby, your laptop could automatically dim the screen to make it harder to read—or send you a warning. Or both.
The aim? Smarter privacy, without any effort on your part.
Of course, this feature relies on specific hardware—namely a Human Presence Detection (HPD) sensor. These are typically found in newer laptops powered by Qualcomm, AMD, or Intel chips. Not sure if your device has one? You can check under Settings > System > Power & battery.
While Microsoft hasn’t officially confirmed the rollout just yet, Onlooker Detection has appeared in recent Windows 11 preview builds. So, while we don’t have a release date, the signs are promising.
Frankly, it’s overdue. With data privacy more important than ever, subtle protections like this could make a real difference—especially for those of us who work on the move.
Would a feature like this give you more peace of mind when working in public spaces? Let us know if you’d like help checking your device compatibility or exploring other privacy tools.
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This special edition of our Leading London series brings together the partners behind the rollout of the City of London Corporation’s new unified network, a major upgrade designed to strengthen public services and improve connectivity across the Square Mile and beyond.
The panel included:
- Sam Collins, Assistant Director of Digital and Data, City of London Corporation
- Chelsea Chamberlin, Chief Technology Officer, Roc Technologies
- Scott McKinnon, Chief Security Officer, Palo Alto Networks
- Rhod Morgan, Chief Operations Officer, Vorboss
- Elliot Townsend, Senior Director, Juniper Networks
- Christa Elizabeth Norton, Marketing Director, Roc Technologies
Together, they explored how the new network will improve public services, strengthen cyber resilience and support a more connected, future-ready City.
For many landlords and building managers, the word “wayleave” feels like the responsible route whenever a fibre circuit is being installed on their property. It sounds formal and safe – a neat legal box to tick.
In many cases, however, a wayleave adds unnecessary complexity and delays, frustrates tenants, and can expose landlords to long-term legal risks.
At Vorboss, we’ve connected thousands of office spaces across London without a wayleave, keeping landlords in full control and getting tenants online faster.
What is a wayleave?
A wayleave is a written agreement between a landowner and a telecoms operator. It gives the operator permission to install and keep equipment on private property.
What many people don’t realise is that signing a wayleave also activates “Code rights” under the Electronic Communications Code. These rights go beyond simple permission, they give the operator legal powers to stay on the property indefinitely, access it when needed, and even refuse removal of their equipment in certain situations.
For a typical connection into a commercial building in London, a wayleave can make the fibre installation process slower, more expensive, and limit the landlord’s flexibility long term.
Why a wayleave isn’t required for standard in-building fibre connections
For a standard in-building fibre connection serving a tenant, a wayleave isn’t a legal requirement. Important protections, like building access, fire safety, repairing any damage, and removing equipment, are already covered by the tenant’s lease and usual building rules.
If no wayleave is signed, no Code rights are triggered, meaning the landlord retains full control and the installation exists under a simple, fully revocable licence.
In practice, this gives landlords far more protection and flexibility:
- No legal lock-in – the telecoms operator has no long-term rights to stay or refuse removal.
- Landlords keep full control – equipment can be moved or removed when the building changes.
- Faster fibre installation – no time lost in drafting contracts or solicitor reviews.
- Happier tenants – connections go live quicker; tenants get to move in faster.
By contrast, signing a wayleave and granting Code rights introduces a complex and expensive legal process for any fibre removal or relocation. This can take at least 18 months, plus potential court or tribunal proceedings, making it slower, and far less flexible for the landlord.
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