WhatsApp Web beta has received the much-anticipated screen lock feature, enhancing user privacy. This functionality, previously in development, has now been made available to a select group of beta program participants. The feature allows users to safeguard their WhatsApp Desktop beta application with a password, preventing unauthorized access.
Securing Chats with Screen Lock
To activate this feature, users need to update to the latest version of WhatsApp Web beta and join the official beta program. Upon activation, the user’s conversations are protected behind a password prompt.
The settings for this feature can be adjusted, including when the password prompt appears. If users forget the password, they must log out and back in by scanning the QR code.
This screen lock feature provides a notable privacy advantage. Even if an unauthorized individual gains access to the user’s computer, their WhatsApp chats, and messages remain inaccessible without the password. Notably, push notifications are suppressed when the screen is locked, further bolstering privacy. This measure ensures the confidentiality of conversations and thwarts attempts to access personal information.
The screen lock feature is progressively being rolled out to more WhatsApp Web beta users who have the latest version.
WhatsApp is developing new features in beta, including AI-generated stickers and a multi-account option. In one of the recent betas, we have also seen a scheduled group call feature.