Privacy-security device

A privacy panel system for covering a window in a door, the privacy panel system comprising:

• one or more spring-loaded hinges mounted to an interior surface of the door and proximate to a first side of the window defined within the door;
• a window covering plate attached to the one or more spring-loaded hinges such that the window covering plate is operable to move from a first position substantially parallel to the interior surface of the door and a second position substantially parallel to and covering the window, wherein the one or more spring-loaded hinges are biased to a “fail-open” state associated with said first position of the window covering plate;
• and
• one or more spring-loaded release devices mounted to the interior surface of the door and proximate to a second side of the window, wherein;
• each of the one or more spring-loaded release devices comprise a bolt that is biased to an extended position by a spring;
• and
• when the window covering plate is rotated to said second position, said bolts of the one or more spring-loaded release devices retract from said extended position to receive the window covering plate and then reextend to hold it in the second position to thereby prevent the spring-loaded hinges from returning the window covering plate to the first position unless or until the one or more spring-loaded release devices are actuated to retract said bolts.