ChatGPT Introduces Chat Lock Feature for Enhanced Privacy

On Tuesday, OpenAI revealed a new feature allowing users to lock ChatGPT conversations, ensuring sensitive discussions remain private when others might access their screen or device. Users can protect these locked chats using a four-digit PIN, or leverage Face ID and Touch ID on compatible devices.
In contrast to Temporary Chats, which create isolated sessions that do not appear in the chat history, Locked Chats can be accessed and resumed at any time.
OpenAI designed this feature for scenarios where users discuss personal matters or plan surprises, wanting to keep these conversations confidential when lending their device to friends or family to view other chats.
This addition enhances ChatGPT’s privacy framework, reflecting its growing use for personal interactions. However, while locking a chat restricts access, it does not resolve concerns regarding how sensitive data is stored or processed.
OpenAI clarifies that locking a chat does not establish end-to-end encryption or a separate encrypted vault, alter data retention periods, remove previously remembered information, or modify the “Improve the model for everyone” setting.
Once locked, a chat moves to a dedicated “Locked Chats” section, keeping it distinct from regular chat history, pinned conversations, and search results.
When Memory is enabled, Locked Chats maintains its own separate memory across conversations within the section. New messages sent after locking a chat can update this specific memory, but they do not affect regular Memory. Consequently, new information from locked chats will not leak into regular conversations.
OpenAI states that resetting a PIN permanently deletes all locked chats, files, and other content protected by the previous PIN.
Furthermore, the Locked Chats option is unavailable for temporary chats, archived chats, group chats, chats created from shared links, chats with scheduled tasks, and chats containing meeting recordings.
Locked Chats will be available to users on ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans. The company notes that the feature is not available on ChatGPT for Healthcare. The feature began rolling out on Tuesday, so it may not yet be live for all users.
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On Tuesday, OpenAI revealed a new feature allowing users to lock ChatGPT conversations, ensuring sensitive discussions remain private when others might access their screen or device. Users can protect these locked chats using a four-digit PIN, or leverage Face ID and Touch ID on compatible devices.
In contrast to Temporary Chats, which create isolated sessions that do not appear in the chat history, Locked Chats can be accessed and resumed at any time.
OpenAI designed this feature for scenarios where users discuss personal matters or plan surprises, wanting to keep these conversations confidential when lending their device to friends or family to view other chats.
This addition enhances ChatGPT’s privacy framework, reflecting its growing use for personal interactions. However, while locking a chat restricts access, it does not resolve concerns regarding how sensitive data is stored or processed.
OpenAI clarifies that locking a chat does not establish end-to-end encryption or a separate encrypted vault, alter data retention periods, remove previously remembered information, or modify the “Improve the model for everyone” setting.
Once locked, a chat moves to a dedicated “Locked Chats” section, keeping it distinct from regular chat history, pinned conversations, and search results.
When Memory is enabled, Locked Chats maintains its own separate memory across conversations within the section. New messages sent after locking a chat can update this specific memory, but they do not affect regular Memory. Consequently, new information from locked chats will not leak into regular conversations.
OpenAI states that resetting a PIN permanently deletes all locked chats, files, and other content protected by the previous PIN.
Furthermore, the Locked Chats option is unavailable for temporary chats, archived chats, group chats, chats created from shared links, chats with scheduled tasks, and chats containing meeting recordings.
Locked Chats will be available to users on ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans. The company notes that the feature is not available on ChatGPT for Healthcare. The feature began rolling out on Tuesday, so it may not yet be live for all users.
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