OpenAI has introduced a new "locked chats" feature that lets ChatGPT users shield their more sensitive conversations. Once enabled, a locked conversation no longer appears in your regular chat history, pinned chats or conversation search. Access requires a 4-digit PIN, and on iPhone and Android devices users can also unlock chats with biometric authentication such as Face ID.
Locked chats are grouped under a new project titled "Locked chats." OpenAI positions the feature mainly as protection against people nearby who might glance at your screen or pick up your phone. It is not end-to-end encryption, and it does not let users sidestep legal obligations if they face issues with an employer or the law. A newly published support page makes this explicit. The company also says locked chats will not automatically change your model training settings or the length of time OpenAI retains private conversations.
Resetting your account PIN will permanently delete all of your locked chats, along with any files uploaded to their project space. OpenAI warns that this cannot be undone and that its support team cannot recover the deleted content.
The feature is rolling out gradually, so users who don't see it right away may need to wait a few days. It will be available to free accounts as well as Go, Plus and Pro subscribers. On Android and iOS, voice mode can be used alongside locked chats, but conversations within Codex cannot be locked.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing