Meta is now launching a unique privacy feature called ‘Chat Lock’ for WhatsApp, which allows users to restrict unwanted access to their extremely personal discussions.
The addition of Chat Lock creates a separate folder that can be securely secured using a password or biometric techniques such as fingerprint verification.
Simply pick the lock option after pressing on the name of a one-on-one or group chat to protect the privacy of your communications.
“Locking a chat takes that thread out of your inbox and puts it behind its own folder that can only be accessed with your device’s password or biometric, like a fingerprint,” WhatsApp said today.
Furthermore, while using the phone, this function automatically hides any facts connected to locked conversations in alerts, completely limiting any possible intrusion by others.
“We believe this feature will be great for people who share their phones from time to time with a family member, or in moments where someone else is holding your phone at the exact moment an extra-special chat arrives,” the company added.
To access locked chats, simply pull down gently on your inbox and verify your identity using either the password or biometric authentication method you employed to lock the conversation initially.
In addition to these upgrades, WhatsApp has said that it intends to improve the capabilities of Chat Lock with new features in the future. These enhancements will feature specific locks for companion devices as well as the ability to create a personalized password for your conversations. This unique password will enable you to use a different password from your phone’s credentials.
