OpenAI rolls out conversation locking in ChatGPT
OpenAI is gradually rolling out the Locked Chats feature in ChatGPT. Conversations can be protected with a four-digit PIN or with Face ID or Touch ID. However, locking does not change data retention or the settings for using data for training.
OpenAI has begun gradually rolling out the Locked Chats feature in ChatGPT. Conversations can be locked with a four-digit PIN or with Face ID or Touch ID on supported devices. The feature is intended for the Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu plans, but may not be available to all users at the same time. It is not available for ChatGPT for Healthcare.
Locked conversations move to a separate section outside the regular history, pinned conversations and search results. According to OpenAI, when memory is enabled, they have their own memory shared among conversations in this section. New messages sent after locking can update this separate memory, but not the regular memory. Locking does not, however, remove previously remembered information.
According to OpenAI, locking does not provide end-to-end encryption or create a separate encrypted vault. It does not change how long conversations are retained or the settings for using data for training. Resetting the PIN permanently deletes all locked conversations, files and other content protected by the previous PIN.
Locking is not available for temporary, archived or group conversations, conversations created from a shared link, or conversations with scheduled tasks or meeting recordings.
Why it matters
Unlike temporary conversations, locked conversations can be revisited. The feature thus combines keeping conversation history with restricting access when handing a device to someone else. Another important consideration when deciding whether to use it is that resetting the PIN means permanently losing the protected content.
Two audiences, two different impacts
What this means
For individuals
When lending your device to someone else, you can restrict access to personal conversations and keep them for later use.
For a business
For company policies on handling sensitive data, it is crucial that locking chats does not change data retention or the settings for using data for training. The lock alone therefore does not address these issues.
Risks and complianceCheck the original
Event sources
only one source so far · 1 publisher, 1 independent. We count feeds from the same owner only once.