WhatsApp keeps getting new and useful features regularly. Over the past few months, the messaging platform has been gaining new features even faster. Last week, we saw the introduction of new creative tools, privacy options, and audio chat. Now, WhatsApp is working on a new feature that could be one of the most significant security features in a very long time.
Discovered by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp beta version 2.23.8.2 for Android packs a new privacy feature that allows users to lock one-on-one and group chats with either a pin code or a fingerprint. To lock a chat, you have to click on the contact’s or the group’s info and select the option to lock the conversation with the desired authentication option.
WhatsApp will move locked chat threads to a separate tab
What makes this feature even better is that the app moves the locked chats to a separate tab. WABetaInfo also claims that if anyone tries to open the locked chats and fails to provide the necessary authentication, the app will prompt the user to clear the chat before they open it. Look at the screenshots above to get a better idea of the feature.
Currently, WhatsApp allows you to lock the app with a pin code or a fingerprint. However, this feature could be pretty frustrating for some people as they have to provide authentication each time they want to access the app. In comparison, the ability to lock a particular chat is much easier. It allows you to open the app quickly without authentication while keeping your sensitive conversations safe from peeping eyes.
Although there is no information on when this feature will make it to the public version of the app, going by the history of WhatsApp’s feature rollout timelines, you can expect the new feature to be available to the public in a few weeks.
