ChatGPT: New function now protects private chats with a PIN
OpenAI is gradually integrating blocked chats into ChatGPT. In the future, users will hide confidential conversations with a four-digit PIN or biometrics. The innovation protects private histories when used in public spaces.
Protection from unwanted looks
OpenAI has been gradually rolling out a new feature called “Blocked Chats” for ChatGPT since Tuesday. This gives users the opportunity to hide confidential conversations behind a four-digit PIN or biometric device unlocking. This helps users who use the chatbot in public spaces or who occasionally give up their smartphone. The innovation is available for almost all account types, from free access to enterprise tariffs on the desktop as well as on iOS and Android.
The only exceptions are accounts for the healthcare sector. After activation through a conversation’s menu, the software moves the chat to the special “Blocked Chats” section. At the same time, the conversation disappears from the regular history and search function. On smartphones, the protected areas can be opened with Face ID, Touch ID or regular device unlocking. In the browser, access closes automatically when the page is reloaded or the tab is closed. On mobile devices, access ends when the application runs in the background for one minute. Users can also terminate access manually at any time.
Isolated storage for conversations
An important aspect of the new feature concerns AI memory. The blocked chats receive their own memory, but can use relevant information from regular memory. Information from private conversations is not incorporated into the chatbot’s regular memory, so details do not appear in later normal conversations. However, the protected chats share their own memory with each other. Information that was already saved before the blocking will be retained.
Files that users upload within a locked chat also remain hidden in the area. Like from one Blog post As can be seen, the innovation is not end-to-end encryption. The ban does not change how long the data is retained on the servers or whether conversations are used to train the AI models. Likewise, the suspension does not override workspace policies or legal and compliance obligations.
Data loss if you forget your PIN
Anyone who forgets their PIN must expect data loss. Resetting the code will irrevocably delete all previously blocked chats and the files they contain. However, as long as the current PIN is known, it can be easily changed without losing any data. The four-digit number is tied to the respective OpenAI account. OpenAI excludes some functions for the new area. Temporary conversations, group chats and archived chats cannot be blocked. In addition, locked chats cannot be shared, pinned or archived. ChatGPT’s voice mode works in combination with locked chats on mobile devices, but is not available for this area on desktop. The new function also does not support programming conversations with Codex.
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