LINE's privacy settings are not complicated, but they are spread across a few different menus and the default settings are not always the ones that suit everyone. This guide explains what each main setting does and which ones are worth reviewing when you first set up the app.

Who can add you as a friend

By default, LINE allows people to add you by phone number if they have your number in their contacts. You can change this in Settings, then Privacy, then Allow Others to Add by Phone Number. Turning this off means people can only add you by scanning your QR code or searching your LINE ID directly. This is worth considering if you receive unwanted friend requests.

Read receipts

LINE shows a small 'Read' indicator when the other person has opened your message. You can turn this off in Settings, then Privacy, then Read Receipts. Note that if you turn it off, you will also stop seeing when others have read your messages. It works both ways. Many people leave it on because it is useful to know when a message has been seen.

Letter Sealing: end-to-end encryption

Letter Sealing is LINE's end-to-end encryption for one-to-one chats and calls. It is turned on by default for most users. You can check the status in Settings, then Privacy, then Letter Sealing. When it is active, a small lock icon appears next to messages in the chat. Both users need to have it enabled for it to work. If you do not see the lock icon, check that both you and the other person have it turned on.

Profile visibility

Your LINE profile, including your name, photo, and status message, is visible to your friends by default. You can also choose whether your Timeline posts are visible to all friends or only to specific people. Go to Settings, then Privacy, then Timeline Posts to adjust this. If you use LINE for both personal and work contacts, it is worth thinking about what you post on your Timeline and who can see it.

Spending ten minutes on your privacy settings when you first set up LINE is time well spent. The defaults are reasonable, but a few small adjustments can make the app feel more comfortable for your situation.