Messaging giant WhatsApp has been playing catch-up with rivals like Telegram and Signal when it comes to Whatsapp new features. However, a recent beta update of WhatsApp, v2.23.8.2, suggests that biometric locking for individual chats and group messages may soon be on the horizon. This new security layer would be a welcome addition for those who rely on WhatsApp as their primary means of communication.
At present, users can lock WhatsApp with a PIN, fingerprint, or Face Unlock model, but this only secures access to the entire application. The potential for biometric locking of specific chats adds an extra level of privacy, with users required to scan their fingerprint to view protected conversations. The option to enable the “Lock this chat with fingerprint” toggle from the three-dot menu will send these chats to a “Locked chats” section, ensuring they are hidden from prying eyes. Any attempts to view these chats from the main WhatsApp app view will be unsuccessful until the correct fingerprint has been scanned.
Although this development is still in its early phases and only available in the Android beta version of WhatsApp, it is an exciting prospect. As with all new features, there is the possibility that it may not make it to the final release. However, the inclusion of biometric locking would undoubtedly be a significant step forward for WhatsApp and its users.
In summary, WhatsApp’s potential addition of biometric locking for individual chats and group messages would be a major boost to the platform’s privacy and security features. As the beta update is still in the early stages, it remains to be seen whether this new functionality will make it to the final release. Nonetheless, this development highlights the platform’s ongoing efforts to stay competitive with other messaging services and keep its users’ data secure.
