Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has announced a new password-protected feature called Chat Lock that enables users to safeguard their "most intimate conversations" by hiding messages. This feature allows individuals to secure and conceal private exchanges by moving them from the main inbox to a separate folder that can only be accessed using a password or biometric security, such as a fingerprint. The global launch of Chat Lock was announced by Meta on Monday.
In a Facebook post, Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg announced that the new locked chats in WhatsApp would enhance the privacy of conversations. These locked chats would be stored in a password-protected folder, ensuring that sender and message content are not displayed in notifications. However, these new privacy measures could potentially escalate the ongoing dispute between Meta and the UK government regarding the Online Safety Bill.
In April, Meta expressed its opposition to the legislation, arguing that it would weaken the end-to-end encryption employed by WhatsApp, which ensures that only the sender and intended recipient can access a message.
The government has denied that the Bill seeks to outlaw encrypted messaging and instead aims to target child abuse material while preserving online privacy.
Tech companies that refuse to comply with the government's requirements to identify and remove such content from their platforms may face substantial fines.
In light of these developments, Meta previously issued a warning in March, stating that it might withdraw WhatsApp from the UK rather than adhere to the proposed regulations.