3 weeks ago
WhatsApp Tests Age Confirmation in India to Comply With Law
WhatsApp is a messaging app that many people in India use.
The company is testing a new way for users to add their date of birth.
This is because new laws in India will soon ask apps to check how old their users are.
The law wants to keep children under 18 safe online.
WhatsApp says it is trying to do this in a way that protects people's privacy.
The test is optional, so users do not have to share their birthday to keep using the app.
WhatsApp says the age information will not be shared with other users.
More than 600 million people in India use WhatsApp.
Meta's WhatsApp is testing an optional feature that asks users in India to add their date of birth.
The test aims to comply with upcoming Indian laws, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act.
A provision of the act calls for age verification to determine whether users are under the age of 18.
WhatsApp has more than 600 million users in India, its largest market.
India's federal tech ministry has also asked WhatsApp to delay its username feature over impersonation and digital arrest concerns.
- Who
- Meta's WhatsApp and its users in India
- What
- Testing an optional feature that asks users in India to add their date of birth to confirm their age
- Where
- India
- When
- Currently being tested; screenshots began circulating in recent days
- Why
- To comply with upcoming Indian laws like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, which requires age verification to determine whether users are under 18
Key facts
- Company
- Meta (WhatsApp)
- Feature
- Optional date-of-birth age confirmation test
- Regulation
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act)
- Users in India
- More than 600 million
- Age threshold
- 18 (determining whether users are under 18)
- Test status
- Optional; users can continue using WhatsApp without confirming age
- Privacy
- Age information will not be shared with other WhatsApp users
- Related action
- Tech ministry asked WhatsApp to delay username feature launch
Quotes
WhatsApp spokesperson
Representative of WhatsApp, Meta’s messaging service
“To comply with upcoming laws in India like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, we are testing privacy-protective ways for people to confirm their age.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
Related news
WhatsApp tests age confirmation in India ahead of privacy rules
Meta's US Teen Rules Put India's Age-Verification Debate
India’s Stronger Child-Data Law Awaits Enforcement as Meta Trial Opens
Meta Settlement Brings New Age Checks for Young Users
Social Media Companies Intensify Efforts to Identify Child Users
Yorkville America Expands Beyond Trump-Linked ETFs With AI Strategy
Meta’s $18-Billion Child Safety Settlement Faces Praise and Criticism
School Awards Honour Courage, Commitment and Educational Excellence
AI Expansion Puts Jamnagar and Thane Under Water Stress
