Google's Android Automotive OS is getting a new feature called 'sensitive app protection' that lets you PIN-lock specific apps to keep them private from passengers. This feature, which is separate from the main system's profile lock, allows you to secure third-party apps like Chrome or WhatsApp without blocking access to the rest of the infotainment system. However, because Google is releasing this as an unbundled app, it's up to individual automakers to implement the feature in their vehicles. The underlying service is labeled 'Sensitive App Lock' and adds a new App Lock entry under Settings > Privacy. Inside the menu, you'll find a toggle to enable the feature and a 'My Apps' section listing your currently secured applications. There's also a disclaimer at the bottom that warns that locked apps may still run in the background and share data with other apps. Interestingly, Google is also working on a native App Lock for phones, though that project is currently a public API targeted for next year's Android 17 release. The difference between these two is in their scope: while the phone version is a developer tool, Android Automotive's 'Sensitive App Lock' is a complete feature implementation ready for automakers to deploy.
