What changed
OpenAI’s October 20 Enterprise and Edu release notes introduce locked chats. The linked guide lists Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu, with gradual rollout. That does not establish that your account already has the option.
Locking hides selected conversations from ordinary history, pins, and search without deleting them. Access requires an account PIN or supported device authentication. Eligible cloud chats in Chat or Work are covered; Codex and local Work are excluded.
What the lock does not change
Locking does not add end-to-end encryption or a separate encrypted vault. It does not change retention or model-improvement settings. Enterprise and Edu conversation logs remain available through OpenAI’s Compliance Platform under applicable workplace policies.
Existing shared links remain accessible unless removed separately. Resetting a forgotten PIN permanently deletes all locked chats and content protected only by that PIN; OpenAI says this cannot be undone. Changing a known PIN is different from resetting it.
Our take
Think of this as a convenience when sharing your screen, while still checking settings and policy. A lock icon does not answer whether the information belongs in the service in the first place. For work material, follow your organization’s rules before uploading anything.
Begin with a fictional conversation to learn how the feature behaves. Check other open devices and shared links before showing your screen. We have not tested this rollout or verified any account’s access. Read irreversible reset warnings carefully. The useful question is what access you want to prevent, then whether this particular control actually addresses it.
Use that trial to decide whether the extra access step helps your everyday work, rather than assuming a padlock symbol replaces the rest of your privacy decisions.