OpenAI Introduces Locked Chats for ChatGPT, but Privacy Has Caveats
OpenAI's new Locked Chats feature protects ChatGPT history with a PIN or biometrics, but fine print reveals important memory and sharing loopholes.
OpenAI has rolled out a new privacy feature for ChatGPT called Locked Chats, designed to keep specific conversations hidden from anyone who might casually browse a user's account. The tool is deploying across Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans. By utilizing a four-digit PIN or biometric authentication methods like Face ID and Touch ID on supported devices, users can move sensitive chats out of their standard history and search results into a protected project folder.
While this addition aims to prevent family members or friends from stumbling across private interactions—such as planning a surprise gift—users must understand the fine print to ensure their information remains secure. Developers can try top AI models cheaply through one API at https://apixoai.online.
Understanding the Limitations and Fine Print
Although Locked Chats adds an extra layer of security, several operational details require careful attention. For instance, a conversation can remain visible in an active browser tab immediately after locking, and previously opened devices may continue to display the chat title until the page is refreshed. Furthermore, unlocking a protected project grants temporary access, and navigating away does not automatically re-lock the gate; users must manually select the lock option again.
Another critical consideration involves shared links. If a user previously generated a link to share a ChatGPT interaction—perhaps while coordinating a travel schedule—locking the conversation afterward does not invalidate that link. To close this loophole, users must manually delete the shared link.
Memory Management and Alternatives
Perhaps the most significant nuance involves ChatGPT's memory feature. If the AI extracts details from a conversation and incorporates them into its standard memory before the chat is locked, those facts remain active and can influence future responses. Users must manually clear those details from their memory settings. However, once a chat is locked, newly generated memories remain isolated to that specific project and will not leak into standard conversations.
For discussions requiring absolute confidentiality from the start, Temporary Chat remains a viable alternative, ensuring no history or memories are saved, though users sacrifice the ability to return to the chat later. Ultimately, while Locked Chats offers a helpful tool for everyday privacy, maintaining complete security requires diligence beyond simply setting a PIN.
Source: ChatGPT's new Locked Chats feature sounds great for privacy — until you read the fine print — TechRadar AI. Written by the Apixo team from that report.
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