In a bid to provide users with an additional layer of privacy for their sensitive chats, Meta-owned WhatsApp has rolled out a new feature called “secret code.”
This feature allows millions of users to set a unique password specifically for securing their locked chats, distinct from the phone’s unlock password.
Meta Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the launch of the secret code feature on his WhatsApp Channel, stating:
“Rolling out secret code to Chat Lock on WhatsApp so you can protect your chats with a unique password. Now you can set your locked chats to only appear when you type the secret code in the search bar, so no one can unintentionally discover your most private conversations.”
The secret code feature aims to enhance the privacy and security of users’ most confidential conversations. With this addition, users have the flexibility to hide the Locked Chats folder from their chat list, ensuring that these locked chats only become visible when the unique secret code is entered in the search bar.
WhatsApp users now have the option to manage their privacy preferences further by choosing whether the Locked Chats folder should appear in the chat list or remain concealed until accessed via the secret code.
In a statement, the company explained the new functionalities:
“If that doesn’t suit your needs, you can still choose to have them appear in your chatlist. Whenever there’s a new chat which you want to lock, you can now long press to lock it rather than visiting the chat’s settings.”
Earlier in the year, WhatsApp introduced Chat Lock as part of its efforts to assist users in safeguarding more sensitive conversations.
