# OpenAI Introduces PIN-Protected Locked Chats for Enhanced Privacy New security feature allows users to hide sensitive ChatGPT conversations behind PINs or biometrics. - **Source:** [Lifehacker](https://brifing.si/source/f1400ced-a26b-4e58-a567-6187eca3708d) - **Published:** 2026-10-20 - **Topic:** [Software & Engineering](https://brifing.si/c/engineering) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/09912f51-859f-445f-881d-dc6e5d1c9cd5 ## New Privacy Control Mechanism OpenAI has launched a Locked Chats feature, enabling users to secure specific conversations with a four-digit PIN or biometric authentication. This functionality prevents unauthorized individuals with physical access to your device from viewing sensitive chat history. Unlike temporary chats, these conversations remain saved in your account while staying hidden from the sidebar. ## Activation and Management Process To initiate locking, users select the lock option within an existing conversation menu. If no PIN exists, the system prompts for a four-digit code creation. Once locked, chats move to a dedicated project folder. Users can also start new locked conversations directly from the Projects Locked Chats section by providing their authentication credentials. ## Device-Level Access Requirements Accessing locked content requires entering the established PIN or using mobile device biometrics like Face ID or Touch ID. When finished, selecting the lock command hides the conversation from the main interface again. This ensures that sensitive data is not visible during casual browsing of your regular chat history or pinned items. ## Critical Data Recovery Warning Users must exercise caution regarding their account PIN. If you choose to reset your account PIN at any point, all previously locked chats are permanently deleted from the system. These conversations cannot be recovered after a PIN reset, making the security code a single point of failure for your stored private data. ## Broad Plan Availability The feature is currently rolling out across almost all ChatGPT tiers, including Free, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans on both desktop and mobile applications. However, the functionality is notably absent from ChatGPT for Healthcare. OpenAI notes that the rollout is gradual, meaning it may not appear for every user immediately. ## Scope and Feature Limitations Not all conversation types support the locking mechanism. Temporary, archived, and group chats are ineligible for this security layer. Additionally, conversations involving shared links, scheduled tasks, background processes, or meeting recordings cannot be locked. These exclusions reflect the technical constraints inherent in how different chat formats interact with the platform's current architecture. ## Clarifying Encryption Boundaries It is essential to understand that locked chats are not end-to-end encrypted. The feature restricts visual access on your device but does not place data in a separate encrypted vault. Locking a chat does not alter existing privacy settings, such as model training permissions or the retention of personal information by OpenAI. ## Strategic Privacy Implications This update addresses the need for local privacy without changing the underlying data processing model. By separating sensitive threads from the main interface, users gain better control over their screen visibility. However, users should remain aware that this is a UI-level security measure rather than a fundamental change to data encryption protocols. ## Sources covering this story - https://lifehacker.com/tech/how-to-lock-private-chatgpt-conversations-with-a-pin?utm_medium=RSS — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._