This Doesn't Change How Whatsapp Works or Your Experience

WhatsApp is testing privacy-protective methods for users to confirm their age as it prepares to comply with upcoming Indian laws like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP). The messaging platform said age information is private and won't be shared with other users, and the test is optional, allowing users to continue using WhatsApp without confirming their age. A WhatsApp spokesperson said, "To comply with upcoming laws in India like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP), we are testing privacy-protective ways for people to confirm their age.

This doesn't change how WhatsApp works or your experience. We understand that information about someone's age is private and it won't be shared with other WhatsApp users. The move follows a nudge to some users to add their date of birth, sparking social media chatter about future age-verification requirements.

IT Secretary S Krishnan noted the move might relate to the DPDP Act's age-related provisions, adding, "But we will have to check with them... because we are approaching the deadline. On username notices, Krishnan said the issue extends beyond WhatsApp to all messaging apps, considering impersonation risks and privacy angles. He said, We are looking at what they had to say, the feedback that they've given, and we will take a final call.

The username feature allows communication without sharing phone numbers. Last month, the government issued a notice to Meta-owned WhatsApp, flagging concerns that the feature could increase online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams, and impersonation attacks, and directed the platform not to launch it until consultations are completed. WhatsApp, with nearly 50 crore users in India, has replied to the notice, assuring it won't roll out the feature until discussions are complete. The IT ministry also sent notices to Telegram and Signal about their username features and fraud-related concerns.