WhatsApp Boosts Privacy with New ‘Chat Lock’ Feature

According to Whatsapp Blog, they are passionate about developing new methods for protecting the privacy and security of messages exchanged between users. Whatsapp is thrilled to introduce to users today a new feature we’re calling “Chat Lock“, which enables them to shield their most private conversations behind an additional layer of security.

When you lock a chat, the thread is removed from your inbox and placed in a secure folder that only you and your device’s password or biometric, such as your fingerprint, can open. It also automatically hides the contents of that chat in notifications, too.

As WhatsApp explains, “Locking a chat takes that thread out of the inbox and puts it behind its own folder that can only be accessed with your device password or biometric, like a fingerprint. It also automatically hides the contents of that chat in notifications, too.”

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As shown in the video below, Chat Lock has been designed to cater to the needs of people who often share their phones with others, particularly family members, which is quite common in certain regions. In emerging markets like India, for instance, where families usually have only one device, which is shared by all members, including parents and siblings, who take turns using it.

This may have a number of advantages, even for families who don’t share. While there are many other reasons why users may desire an extra layer of privacy for particular chats if you frequently leave your smartphone where others can see it, there may be sensitive, private talks that you don’t want anyone else to see. With this new method, message previews are concealed.

In such scenarios, locking specific chats could prove to be highly advantageous, providing greater privacy and security to WhatsApp users.