Mobile workers are being put off doing business on the move because of other people sneaking a look at their screens, according to a study.

The poll of train commuters found that 70% were deterred from working on a laptop because of others spying on private work, while 16% said fellow passengers regularly looked at their screen.

Those fears were backed up when passengers were asked about their own viewing habits, with 98% saying they would look at a commuter's screen and 65% thinking this was human nature.

"Our survey shows that a large number of employees and organisations see working in public places as a potential threat and have stopped doing so in an effort to combat members of the public viewing private documents," said Lianne Denness, managing director at Hypertec, which commissioned the research.