Full Breakdown
OpenAI Rolls Out “Locked Chats” to Shield Sensitive Conversations
By Drooid · · How we work
Feature Overview and Availability
OpenAI announced that users can now lock individual ChatGPT conversations behind a four-digit PIN, Face ID, or Touch ID. Locked chats are moved to a dedicated “Locked Chats” section that is hidden from the regular chat list, pinned items, and search results. The option is being rolled out to all subscription tiers—including Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu—though it is not offered on the ChatGPT for Healthcare product. Certain chat types, such as temporary, archived, group, shared-link, scheduled-task, and meeting-recording chats, remain ineligible for locking.
Technical Design and Limitations
OpenAI clarified that the lock does not create end-to-end encryption, alter data-retention policies, or remove information the model has already learned from prior interactions. When Memory is enabled, locked chats maintain a separate memory store that is shared only among other locked chats; new information added within a locked conversation does not flow into regular chats. Resetting the PIN permanently deletes all locked chats, files, and associated content. The feature is currently unavailable on some devices and may not be live for every user yet.
Context: Privacy Pressures and Competitive Landscape
Android Authority uncovered code strings for a “locked chats” feature in version 1.2026.230 of the Android app, describing it as a hidden mode that removes a conversation from the sidebar and search results until unlocked with a PIN or fingerprint. The same analysis noted that, unlike Temporary Chats which disappear after closing, locked chats remain stored but invisible. TechRadar warned that the code is still in testing and could be altered or removed before any public release. These developments arrive as rival AI chatbots, notably Meta’s AI chatbot, have faced scrutiny after user prompts—including medical and legal queries—appeared publicly, heightening demand for stronger confidentiality controls.
Official Position and Future Rollout
OpenAI emphasized that the locked-chat design is intended for scenarios where users discuss personal matters or need to hand their device to others without exposing sensitive content. The company indicated that the feature is being phased in, with broader availability expected in the coming weeks, while continuing to refine privacy safeguards based on user feedback and regulatory expectations.