According to the source review from Digital Trends Computing, OpenAI has launched a new feature called Locked Chats on ChatGPT. This enhancement secures private conversations behind PIN and biometric locks across web, desktop, and mobile platforms, ensuring that sensitive chats are excluded from ChatGPT’s memory and context retention systems.
- Locks sensitive chats with PIN and biometric security
- Prevents private conversations from updating AI memory
- Available across free and paid ChatGPT plans
Product angle
The source review highlights that Locked Chats is a significant privacy step in AI chatbots, offering a dedicated section secured by PINs on browsers and desktop apps, and enhanced with biometrics such as Face ID and fingerprint unlocking on mobile devices. This approach protects sensitive conversations from casual viewing and unauthorized access.
Importantly, when a conversation is started or moved into Locked Chats mode, it does not feed data into ChatGPT’s memory system, meaning context from these protected chats is not used for future interactions. This ensures that confidential information remains isolated from the AI’s learning, an aspect that the source emphasizes as unique and privacy-centric.
Best for / avoid if
Locked Chats is best suited for users who often handle sensitive or private information in their AI interactions and want an added layer of security beyond standard chat history control. This includes professionals and individuals concerned with data privacy who require conversations to be segregated and inaccessible without explicit permissions.
However, users who prefer a seamless and fully integrated AI experience without privacy segmentation might find Locked Chats less convenient as those conversations do not benefit from memory features that enhance responsiveness. Additionally, if users primarily operate via web or desktop, they might miss out on biometric ease which is available only on compatible mobile devices.
Pricing and alternatives to check
According to the source, Locked Chats is rolled out across all ChatGPT tiers including free accounts, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education plans, meaning no additional payment is currently required to access this privacy feature. The deployment might still be phased, with app updates necessary to enable it on some devices.
For comparison, OpenAI also offers Temporary Chats which provide ephemeral conversation sessions that can be either personalized or non-personalized, serving as an alternative privacy tool. Buyers considering alternative AI chatbots should evaluate how their platforms handle conversation memory and encryption, especially if privacy is a priority.