This disclosure describes methods, non-transitory computer readable storage media, and systems that apply a blur filter to a digital video stream of a user to a recipient based on blur settings. The disclosed system receives a request to initiate a digital video communication between a first user (e.g., a customer) associated with a first user client device and a second user (e.g., an agent) associated with a second user client device. The disclosed system determines a blur setting (e.g., a degree of blur and an amount of time) associated with the second user indicating to blur a digital video stream from the first user client device at the second user client device. The disclosed system initiates the digital video communication by presenting a blur filter on the digital video stream according to the blur setting for display at the second user client device.