hidecovered

Hidecovered is a term used in information architecture and privacy-oriented interface design to describe a presentation pattern in which certain content or data elements are concealed behind a visual cover or are hidden by default and revealed only through explicit user action.

The term is informal and not widely standardized. It appears in discussions of progressive disclosure, data masking, and privacy-preserving interfaces. In practice, hidecovered implementations may blur, mask, or fully block access to information until consent is granted or the user chooses to reveal it. This approach is used to reduce cognitive load, protect sensitive details, or control how much information is visible in a given context.

Typical applications include mobile and web interfaces that handle sensitive information (for example, financial details or personal identifiers) or that aim to present only a high-level overview with options to reveal details. Techniques include visual masking, blur, collapsed panels, or toggle-based reveals, often accompanied by accessible labels and clear affordances to indicate that concealed content exists and can be revealed.

Considerations for hidecovered include accessibility, discoverability, and user expectations. When used, it should provide clear, perceivable cues and captions for assistive technologies, ensure that revealing content remains a deliberate action, and avoid creating hidden barriers or deceptive practices. Privacy, usability, and consent requirements depend on the data type and applicable laws and guidelines.

Origin and related concepts: The phrase appears as a descriptive label in UX discourse rather than a formal standard. Related concepts include progressive disclosure, content masking, and privacy by design.