WhatsApp Tests Age Verification in India Ahead of New Data Protection Law
WhatsApp, the Meta-owned messaging app, has begun prompting users in India to provide their date of birth. The move is in response to India's upcoming Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act).
Meta-owned messaging app WhatsApp has started testing age declaration prompts for some users in India. The company stated that this initiative is to comply with the forthcoming Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act) mandated by the Indian government.
The DPDP Act, with key provisions set to take full effect on May 13, 2027, places specific obligations on platforms regarding the processing of data for children, defined as individuals under 18 years of age. A critical requirement involves obtaining verifiable parental consent before any personal data of a child can be collected or processed.
WhatsApp indicated that it is testing "privacy-protective ways for people to confirm their age." The company assured that this process will not alter the user experience on WhatsApp or lead to the sharing of sensitive age-related information with other users. The feature is currently in a testing phase and not rolled out to everyone.
Furthermore, the DPDP Act prohibits tracking, behavioral monitoring, and targeted advertising directed at children. WhatsApp will need to implement mechanisms to identify users under 18, secure verifiable parental consent, and adhere to these prohibitions to avoid potential violations once the law is fully enforced.