WhatsApp Plans to Request Your Birth Date if You Reside in This Nation: Learn the Reason Behind It

WhatsApp is preparing to prompt users in a specific country to provide their birth date. This change is being implemented for a particular reason, which will be elaborated further

WhatsApp to Request Users' Birth Dates: Compliance and Regulatory Measures

WhatsApp is gearing up to ask for the birth dates of certain users as part of its compliance strategy with legal norms in various countries. The app will soon introduce a feature in its Android version that prompts users to enter their date of birth before gaining access to the messaging platform. This initiative is in line with recent legislative changes, especially in regions like the EU, where interoperable messaging platforms allow users to transfer chats between WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal.

WHY DOES WHATSAPP NEED MY AGE?

The reason behind this move by WhatsApp is to align with legislation changes in states like Texas, USA, where online service providers, including WhatsApp, are required to verify users' age before granting access. WhatsApp assures users that their birth dates will be used solely for regulatory purposes and will not be visible to others on the platform, ensuring privacy and security.

Complying with local regulations is crucial for Meta-owned platforms like WhatsApp, particularly in regions with age-related restrictions aimed at preventing child abuse cases. Extending this age verification feature to more countries could further safeguard young users from potential risks on the messaging app. However, WhatsApp must ensure a robust mechanism to verify age information while safeguarding user privacy.