Artificial intelligence platform ChatGPT has introduced a new privacy-focused capability designed to help users secure their sensitive interactions. The newly released Locked Chats feature gives individuals an additional layer of control over their private conversations.
How the Locked Chats Feature Functions
The feature allows users to conceal sensitive dialogue behind a four-digit account PIN or biometric verification method. Once a conversation is locked, it is automatically removed from the regular chat history, pinned chats, and standard conversation search results. Unlike temporary chats, which are never saved by default, locked chats remain retained in your chat history so you can return to them later. To view these hidden conversations, users must navigate to Projects and then to Locked chats, followed by entering their PIN or device unlock method such as Face ID or Touch ID. However, locking a conversation does not provide end-to-end encryption or prevent OpenAI from retaining and utilizing the data.
Steps to Lock and Manage Conversations
To initiate a locked chat for the first time, open any existing conversation that requires privacy and access the options menu. Select the lock chat option and create or enter your account secure PIN. This action moves the specific dialogue into your designated locked chats project. If an account PIN has not been set up previously, the system prompts the user to create a four-digit code and confirm it by entering it a second time. Users can also enable biometric authentication within the account PIN settings menu. It is important to note that resetting the account PIN will permanently delete all locked chats without the possibility of recovery.
Availability and Current Limitations
Locked chats are accessible across ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans on both mobile applications and desktop platforms. The functionality is notably absent from ChatGPT for Healthcare. Several limitations also apply to the feature; users cannot lock temporary, archived, or group chats, nor can they secure conversations involving shared links, scheduled tasks, background tasks, or meeting recordings. According to the developers, the feature is rolling out gradually and may not yet be visible to all accounts.
