Question about these lock icons

[roweder]

Anyone know what these lock icons do? I can't figure it out, it seems like they have no purpose other than to switch between a locked and unlocked symbol when you click them. Android 8.0 Huawei Mate 10 Pro.

 

[hallux]

If you tap the lock icon then the trashcan does the locked item remain? It may be a way to keep a particular app running in the background while others are free to be killed to make room in RAM for another app.

 

[roweder]

I'm sorry it's been a while since I posted this, I forgot to subscribe to it. I will try that suggestion tonight, but I bet you're right!