ChatGPT developers have rolled out a feature that protects private conversations with a dedicated four-digit passcode or biometrics, Engadget reports. The news was reported by infohub.kz.
Artificial intelligence developer OpenAI has begun introducing a feature called "Locked Chats." The new option lets users remove sensitive conversations from the main history list, pinned chats and search. Access to such conversations requires entering a four-digit PIN code, and on iOS and Android smartphones it can also be unlocked with biometric systems such as Face ID. All protected conversations are automatically grouped into a separate project.
Company representatives say the addition is designed to shield chats from prying eyes — for example, when a user hands their phone to someone else or is in a crowded place. The feature is not end-to-end encryption, however. The company stresses that locking chats does not exempt users from legal obligations, does not change how the neural networks are trained and does not affect data retention periods on its servers.
If a user decides to reset the PIN code for their account, all locked chats and uploaded files will be deleted with no possibility of recovery. OpenAI support will not be able to restore this data. The new option is being rolled out to users gradually. It will become available to owners of both free accounts and paid Go, Plus and Pro subscriptions.