YouTube has introduced a new privacy feature for people who share televisions with family members or others, allowing users to lock their YouTube profile with a four-digit code.
According to YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, the account lock feature is being rolled out globally. Once activated, other people using the same TV will not be able to access the protected profile, view its subscriptions or alter its personalized video recommendations.
Profile Lock Is Set Up Separately on Each Device
Users can activate the profile lock through the YouTube app’s settings from the navigation bar on their TV.
The lock is tied to an individual device. This means users with YouTube profiles on two different TVs or compatible devices will need to set up the lock separately on each device.
The feature is designed specifically for shared devices, giving users greater control over their personal YouTube experience without requiring them to use a full account password every time.
Phone Can Also Unlock the Profile
YouTube has also made the feature more convenient by allowing users to unlock a protected profile through the YouTube app on their mobile phone, provided notifications are enabled.
This means users do not necessarily have to enter the four-digit code using their TV remote every time they want to access their profile.
If a user forgets the code, the profile can be unlocked through the “Forgot password” option on the TV screen by using their Google Account information. A new code can then be created.
YouTube has clarified that the four-digit code should not be treated as a replacement for an actual account password. The feature is intended specifically to protect profile privacy when a YouTube account is being used on a shared device.