The global debate over children’s safety on social media and instant messaging apps has intensified. Meanwhile, a new screenshot is rapidly going viral among WhatsApp users in India, drawing everyone’s attention. The viral screenshot claims that WhatsApp may soon implement new age-related requirements in India, and is asking users for their date of birth. This raises the question: is the Indian government really going to introduce stricter rules for social media and messaging apps, or is this just a rumor? Let’s find out the full truth behind this viral claim and what Meta has to say.
Abhishek Yadav shared a screenshot on the social media platform X, which sparked the discussion about the date of birth. The screenshot shared shows a pop-up message within the WhatsApp app asking users to add their date of birth. According to the screenshot, the message states that this step is being taken due to upcoming Indian government regulations. As soon as this post surfaced, various speculations began to surface online.
However, there is a significant caveat to the shared screenshot. Neither WhatsApp nor the Indian government has yet made any official announcement regarding age verification. Therefore, until a statement is issued by the government or the company, this cannot be considered a final rule.
While the reason for this new pop-up in India is unclear, WhatsApp asking users for their age is not new. According to WhatsApp’s official support page:
The company asks for age information to comply with laws in various countries around the world.
Knowing the correct age can provide a safe experience for users. Additionally, Meta AI and ads displayed in Status/Channels are adjusted based on the user’s age.
It is also used to enhance security, prevent violations, and improve user privacy settings.
It is also used to enhance security, prevent violations, and improve user privacy settings.
WhatsApp has clarified that your date of birth or age will not be visible to other users on the app. Once a user reaches 18 years of age or attains majority as per the laws of their country, their account starts functioning as a normal account.
Stricter measures are being taken in countries around the world to protect children from the dangers of the internet. Australia has passed a law banning social media platforms for children under 16. However, WhatsApp is exempted from this ban in Australia.
If India introduces such a rule in the future, WhatsApp, along with other apps like Telegram, Signal, Instagram, and Snapchat, may also be required to age-verify users.
For now, Indian users don’t need to worry about age-verification. Until any official information is released, this should be viewed as a test or a potential feature.