Kate Mills 
Feb 12, 2024
Meta-owned WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform, is developing a new security feature to strengthen user privacy. This upcoming feature will synchronise chat locks across all devices linked to your account.
If user opt to lock a conversation on their smartphone, that lock will also be applied to the same conversation when accessed through WhatsApp on your computer, tablet, or any other connected device.
This update was initially spotted by WABetaInfo, a trusted source for WhatsApp updates. It was identified in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.4.14 update, which is downloadable for all enrolled beta testers via the Google Play Store.
Last year, WhatsApp introduced the feature to lock specific chats. Subsequently, they introduced another feature called Secret Lock, allowing users to set a unique password different from their device password. This password hides the Locked Chats folder, making it invisible to anyone who doesn’t know the code.
Read more: WhatsApp introduces new feature to block spam messages directly from lock screen
However, a drawback of these features is that they are device-specific settings. Consequently, these locks must be configured separately on each device, be it your computer or phone rather than being automatically synchronized.
The forthcoming change aims to streamline this process, automatically extending your security preferences across all platforms where WhatsApp is utilized.
This enhanced chat lock feature is anticipated to be included in the upcoming WhatsApp update.
In other WhatsApp-related news, the company recently announced its intention to enable cross-platform messaging via its platform. This signifies that users will have the ability to exchange messages between WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal, and vice versa. However, it is expected that this feature will initially be accessible only in the European region.
