ChatGPT adds Locked chats: hide sensitive conversations from history and search behind a PIN or Face ID; retention settings unchanged

Why it matters

【Key points】

ChatGPT launched Locked chats on Oct 20. Users can move sensitive conversations out of regular history, pinned chats and search into a space that needs verification to open.

1. Unlocking: a 4-digit account PIN on web and desktop; on phones, a PIN, Face ID, Touch ID or device unlock. Open a chat's more-options menu (•••) and choose Lock chat.

2. Memory: new messages sent in locked chats do not update the memory used in regular chats.

3. Unchanged: the chats stay in the account, and existing retention and model-improvement settings still apply.

4. Rollout: the release notes say Free, Go, Plus and Pro users on web, iOS, Android and the new macOS/Windows desktop app; the ChatGPT post also lists Business, Enterprise and Edu.

【Verifiable】

ChatGPT release notes: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/6825453-chatgpt-release-notes#introducing-locked-chats

ChatGPT post: https://x.com/ChatGPT/status/2112597766333673624

【Our read】

1. This protects against people nearby, useful on shared devices or when showing someone your screen, for health, money or relationship chats.

2. It does not change how OpenAI stores or uses those chats; to keep them out of training you still need the model-improvement setting or a temporary chat.