WhatsApp tests age check in India; here's what it means for users

WhatsApp owned by Meta, is testing a new optional age verification feature in India. This feature allows users to add their date of birth to their WhatsApp account. The trial is linked to India’s upcoming Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) rules which include extra protection for children’s data. In this new rule online platforms may need to check a user’s age to know if they are under 18 and provide them with additional safeguards. For now, the age verification feature is only being tested and is not compulsory. Users can continue using WhatsApp without adding their age. A WhatsApp spokesperson said the feature will not change how the app works or affect the user experience. The company also said that “We understand that information about someone’s age is private, and it won’t be shared with other WhatsApp users.” The testing comes at a time when Meta is facing questions in India over how it handles content on its platforms. This happened after a post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefly removed from Facebook.

Meta’ global executive has also met with the Indian government to discuss the issue. Another meeting was happened in August 6 to understand why the post was removed and what steps Meta has taken to prevent such incidents in the future.  Meta apologized for the incident, called it an operational or technical error by automated content filters and outlined new protocols for prominent accounts.

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