WhatsApp users of the Meta-owned messaging platform can now lock certain chats, making them only available through password or biometrics.
This is about Monday's new Chat Lock feature revealed by the digital behemoth, which also owns Instagram and Facebook.
"Locking a chat removes the thread from your inbox and places it in its folder that can only be accessed with your device's password or biometric, such as a fingerprint." It also hides the contents of the communication in notifications," Meta explained in a blog post.
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According to the business, the feature was created for "people who occasionally share their phones with a family member" and for those times when "an extra-special chat arrives."
To lock a chat, tap the name of a one-on-one or group chat and select the lock option.
You will then carefully pull down your inbox and input your password or biometric to reveal the encrypted chats.
Users could previously only restrict access to the entire app by PIN, password, or biometrics.
Meta stated that the feature will be available globally on all devices starting Monday.
Simultaneously, the business stated that it will be adding more Chat Lock options in the coming months, including locks for companion devices and the ability to create a bespoke password for your chats distinct from a user's phone password.
