A vehicle system, includes an upper liftgate of a split liftgate assembly, a lower liftgate of the split liftgate assembly, and a privacy panel assembly that extends between the upper liftgate and the lower liftgate. Another vehicle system includes a hanger bracket assembly configured to engage at least one hinge assembly of a vehicle, a liftgate assembly pivotably connected to the vehicle, and a privacy panel that is coupled to the hanger bracket assembly and the liftgate. A shielding method includes securing a privacy panel assembly to an upper liftgate of a split liftgate assembly of a vehicle, and securing the privacy panel assembly to a lower liftgate of the split liftgate assembly.