WhatsApp has introduced a new feature called Chat Lock, aimed at enhancing user privacy by keeping messages and conversations secure. This feature goes beyond the existing end-to-end encryption, allowing users to choose specific conversations they wish to hide from view. Users can secure these selected chats with a passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition options. The global rollout has begun for both Android and iOS users of the app.
Meta announced the introduction of the ‘Chat Lock’ feature in a blog post on Monday. Once activated, locked chat threads are moved to a separate folder, and notifications from these conversations will refrain from displaying the sender’s name or message previews. Additionally, media shared within these locked chats will not appear in the phone’s gallery automatically.
Users have multiple options for locking their chats, including the use of a passcode, fingerprint, or Face ID. The Chat Lock feature is accessible on both Android and iOS versions of WhatsApp.
To enable this feature, users are required to download the latest version of WhatsApp from the App Store or Google Play Store. The feature is included in the Android version 2.23.10.71 and iOS version 2.23.9.77 of WhatsApp.
To lock a conversation, users need to tap on the desired thread and select the option for Chat Lock. According to the blog post, Meta is also working on additional updates for the feature, which include the ability to set customized passwords distinct from the device’s unlocking password. The company plans to extend the Chat Lock feature to all companion devices associated with the WhatsApp account.
