GoKawiilOpenAI adds PIN-protected 'locked chats' to ChatGPT
OpenAI is rolling out a locked chats feature that hides selected conversations from regular history, pinned chats, and search, requiring a 4-digit PIN or biometric authentication like Face ID to view them. Locked conversations appear under a dedicated 'Locked chats' project, and the rollout covers free, Go, Plus, and Pro accounts gradually over the coming days.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
OpenAI explicitly states this is not end-to-end encryption and does not alter data retention or legal compliance obligations, meaning it offers privacy from casual device access rather than from OpenAI itself or legal scrutiny. The feature also carries risk, since resetting a PIN permanently deletes locked chats and files with no recovery option, which could catch users off guard.
- Locked chats require a 4-digit PIN or biometric authentication to access on mobile devices
- The feature protects against casual snooping but is not encryption and doesn't change data retention or legal exposure
- Resetting your PIN permanently deletes all locked chats and uploaded files with no recovery possible
Source: engadget.com — Igor Bonifacic, 2026-10-20
Published there as: “ChatGPT now lets you lock sensitive chats behind a PIN”
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