WhatsApp may introduce chat lock feature for linked devices

WEB DESK: In the latest beta update, WhatsApp is reportedly gearing up to introduce an enhanced chat lock feature for users utilising the linked devices functionality.

Since its inception in May 2023, the chat lock feature has proven to be a valuable tool in bolstering message privacy, particularly within group chats and personal conversations.

However, a significant drawback arises when this feature is used in conjunction with the linked devices feature, which was implemented just a month prior to the introduction of the lock feature.

Presently, activating the locked chat feature results in the designated chat being segregated within a dedicated “locked chats” panel, distinct from the regular app interface.

However, this segregation doesn’t extend to linked devices, where the locked chat remains visible like any other conversation.

Recent insights from WABetaInfo suggest that Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, is actively working on refining the chat lock experience for users with companion or linked devices.

Within the latest WhatsApp Beta version 2.24.8.4, evidence points to the inclusion of a code-based lock mechanism that enables users to unlock a chat on their paired phone.

This “secret code” is managed through the primary phone within the chat lock settings, potentially serving as a safeguard against unauthorised access via alternate credentials such as device PINs, fingerprints, or Face Unlock data on secondary devices.

This dedicated code is poised to address one of the significant privacy concerns associated with chat lock usage on linked devices, where biometric data could potentially be altered or removed.

It’s important to note that this feature is still in the development phase, and it may be several months before a functional version is rolled out to beta or stable WhatsApp builds.