WhatsApp Introduces Chat Lock Feature: To Hide Secret Messages

VIVA – The instant messaging WhatsApp introduces a new feature for its users to lock chats and hide secret chats or messages from other people. 

The feature was spotted in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.8.2 update available on the Google Play Store. It will be rolled out to all users in a future update.

The report says that once the feature is available, WhatsApp users will be able to lock specific chats using a passcode or fingerprint. This will add a layer of security to WhatsApp chats, allowing users to keep sensitive and secret information safe from others. 

"Especially, users will be possible to lock their most private chats right within the chats contact or group info," the company stated. 

After locking a chat, it can only be accessed using the phone’s passcode or the user’s fingerprint. Also, once a chat is added to the list of locked chats, it will be only available within this screen. In case, a user tries to access these locked chats and fails, he/she will be prompted to clear the chat to open it.

The feature will also help in keeping media private by ensuring that media files such as photos and videos sent in a locked chat are not automatically saved to the device’s gallery.

As mentioned before, the ability to lock chats is a feature under development. It will be released in a future update of the app.