WhatsApp is getting a new feature called Chat Lock, which will allow users to secure conversations with a password or biometric protection, Meta announced on Monday.
“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,” Meta said in a press release.
The new feature will add an extra layer of protection to chats. Meta said it would introduce more options for Chat Lock over the next few months, such as locks for companion devices and custom passwords for chats.
With over 2.2 billion monthly users, WhatsApp is the world’s most popular mobile messaging app, ahead of others like Signal and Telegram.
WhatsApp Chat Lock: How Does It Work?
WhatsApp’s new Chat Lock will put selected chats in a separate folder. To access this folder, users need to provide their device password or biometric data like a fingerprint. The contents of these chats will be hidden in notifications as well.
Apart from keeping chats safe from family members or people around you, Chat Lock protects “data-at-rest” (i.e., the chats stored on your device).
WhatsApp provides end-to-end encryption for all chats to keep messages safe even during transit. This means even if third parties intercept messages, they can’t read them. However, threat actors can access chats if they hack or get hold of your device. Chat Lock will keep conversations on your device safe if it’s compromised.
To enable the feature, tap on a one-to-one or group chat and select the lock option. You can access locked chats by slowly pulling down the inbox screen and entering your device password or biometric.
New Updates for WhatsApp
Meta has unveiled several new features for WhatsApp since the start of the year. Earlier this month, the company announced it was updating polls on WhatsApp to allow users to create single-vote polls and receive notifications when people vote. Meta also announced another update that allows users to forward media with captions or add captions to documents before sending them.
WhatsApp has been embroiled in controversies in recent years over its privacy practices. Meta has sought to assuage users’ concerns and be more transparent about its data collection practices. In March, the European Commission announced that WhatsApp has agreed to give users the option to reject its updated policies if they don’t agree with them.
While WhatsApp cannot check the contents of your messages, the app still collects certain user data, such as your phone number, profile picture, location, usage information, and contacts. Read our WhatsApp privacy guide to learn all about the types of data the app collects and how to protect your privacy.
If you’re interested in exploring alternatives to WhatsApp, check out the top encrypted messaging apps cybersecurity experts recommend.
