WhatsApp, the popular messaging app owned by Meta, is introducing a new Chat Lock feature to enhance its users’ privacy and security. The update places chat threads behind a locked folder that can only be accessed with the device’s password or biometrics. Moreover, the content of the conversations will not be displayed in notifications, ensuring that prying eyes can’t see the messages.
According to Meta’s announcement post, Chat Lock is designed for individuals who share an unlocked smartphone with their family or friends. To enable the protection, users simply need to tap the name of the chat and select the locking option. To reveal the chats, they must pull down on their inbox and enter the password or biometric information to unlock them.
Meta plans to expand Chat Lock options over the next few months, making it possible to lock conversations on companion devices. Additionally, users will soon be able to create custom passwords for the chat that differ from the ones on their smartphones.
The announcement post does not specify whether the Chat Lock feature is rolling out globally or if users will be able to use Face ID to unlock chats. We have reached out to Meta for clarification, and this story will be updated accordingly.
While Chat Lock is the latest addition to WhatsApp’s long list of security features, such as end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication, there is always room for improvement. Recently, a Twitter engineer discovered a bug that allowed WhatsApp to continuously use a phone’s microphone even if the app was closed. Meta claims that the bug is due to a Privacy Dashboard issue on Android, and we recommend turning off the microphone through the device’s settings menu to ensure complete privacy.
Overall, the Chat Lock feature is a positive step forward for WhatsApp’s privacy and security, but it is crucial to remain vigilant for any potential security threats and keep the app up to date with the latest updates.
