Technology Desk – WhatsApp periodically adds new features and changes to improve its user experience. Now, a new change is being seen on the messaging platform. Some users in India are seeing a notification from WhatsApp asking them to enter their date of birth.
Following this change, discussions have begun on social media about whether WhatsApp is preparing for a new age verification rule coming to India. Some users say that the message appearing on the app also refers to upcoming rules from the Indian government.
Tipster shared the screenshot
Tipster Abhishek Yadav shared a screenshot on the social media platform X regarding this matter. In this, WhatsApp users are being asked to add their date of birth.
According to the message in the screenshot, WhatsApp users are being asked for this information due to upcoming regulations from the Indian government. The screenshot sparked a discussion online that new rules may be implemented on social media and messaging platforms for underage users in India as well.
However, no official announcement has been made by WhatsApp regarding this change in India.
WhatsApp has previously asked for age-related information.
WhatsApp asking users for their age isn’t a completely new move. The company has previously stated on its official support page that users may be asked for their age information under certain circumstances.
According to the company, a user’s age may be verified when creating a new account or using certain features. If necessary, WhatsApp may also ask for additional information to verify age.
WhatsApp says that age-related information is collected to comply with laws and regulations in different countries. Furthermore, age-based information helps provide a better and safer user experience.
Where is age information used?
According to WhatsApp, user age information may be used for a variety of purposes, including enhancing platform security, enforcing regulations, and improving user experience.
The company uses this information to:
WhatsApp may use these measures to enforce its Terms of Service, strengthen security, provide customer support, respond to legal requests, and better manage privacy settings.
Apart from this, age information can also be used for some features like Meta AI and to show advertisements appearing in WhatsApp Status and Channels according to the user’s age.
The user’s date of birth will not be visible to others
WhatsApp has also clarified that the date of birth or age information provided by the user will not be visible to other people.
According to the company, when a user turns 18 or reaches the age of majority in his country, his account is treated like a normal adult account and he gets the facility to use all the available features.
Age verification rules are increasing in many countries of the world.
The news of WhatsApp asking for age information comes at a time when governments around the world are making new rules regarding the online safety of children.
Australia recently implemented a law restricting the use of several social media platforms by children under the age of 16. This includes platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, Reddit, and YouTube.
The Australian government says the move is aimed at protecting children from harmful content online, cyberbullying and online grooming.
However, WhatsApp is exempt from this rule and operates according to its existing global age rules.
Online security rules tightened in Britain too
The UK has also strengthened age verification rules for some online services, requiring online platforms to take additional steps to protect children.
Governments and tech companies in many countries around the world are working on age-verification measures to protect underage internet users. WhatsApp’s request for birth dates from some users in India is seen as a potential step in this direction.