“Abang janji delete” is the most famous lie on the internet, now apparently a punchline in some phone repair shops.
What was once a phrase tied to intimate videos has now resurfaced in a viral Threads post, exposing how certain technicians casually snoop through customers’ most private files while fixing their devices.
“Abang janji delete” but secretly watch
The confession first appeared in a Facebook comment, which was later screenshotted and shared on Threads, revealing the unethical behaviour of some repairmen.
It referenced the infamous line “Abang rakam, abang janji abang delete” (“After I record, I’ll delete it afterwards”), often associated with men who assure their partners that intimate videos will be erased but secretly keep them.
According to the screenshot, technicians claimed that while repairing phones, they sometimes watched these clips belonging to the owner. Some would even grin when returning the device, fully aware of the sensitive content they had just seen.
This revelation left many Malaysians horrified, and soon, the comments section was flooded.
“Can’t trust anyone these days”
Shocked by the confession, many Malaysians jumped in to share both their fears and solutions.
One explained that newer models such as Samsung and Oppo now come with a Repair Mode feature:
“When we activate Repair Mode, technicians can only use certain apps for checking. Unless we unlock it, they can’t access our data.”
Others stressed that the only safe way is to stay put while your phone is being repaired:
“If they ask me to leave my phone? Noooooo. I’ll go somewhere else. These days you just can’t trust anyone.”
The conversation then took a darker turn when people with insider knowledge joined in.
Former staff spill the tea
Among the voices were ex-phone shop employees who admitted they had witnessed such behavior first-hand.
One former worker confessed that some male colleagues routinely snooped through customers’ devices:
“They’d open hidden files and even call us over to watch and laugh. I never joined because it felt like betraying customers. Trust me, especially women who record private stuff, please be careful.”
This revelation only added to the sense of unease, prompting other users to share personal precautions such as setting app passwords or using features that take photos of intruders.
“Being trustworthy is part of the job”
Not everyone in the thread shared horror stories. Some Malaysians used the moment to remind others that integrity is still alive.
A printing shop worker drew comparisons to his own line of work:
“I see all kinds of documents, even salary slips. But I treat my eyes like they’re blind. I won’t read, I just print, pack, and seal. That’s what trust means.”
Similarly, a veteran phone technician with over 10 years of experience stressed that snooping was never part of his practice:
“I never once asked for a password. After fixing, I just test it with the owner. People’s trust is everything. Snooping into privacy shows rotten character.”
Not a “dark side,” just a lack of integrity
While the viral post called it the “dark side of phone repair”, many commenters argued that the issue is simpler than that. It is about basic honesty.
As one summed it up perfectly:
“The technician’s job is only to repair, not to investigate the owner’s private life. Snooping and then exposing others is a double betrayal.”
Read the full post here:
View on Threads
