Now Reading: WhatsApp Tests Optional Date of Birth Check for Indian Users
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WhatsApp Tests Optional Date of Birth Check for Indian Users
WhatsApp is testing an optional feature in India that lets users add their date of birth, Business Today reports, citing Bloomberg. The company says it is exploring age verification methods to comply…
The Story in Brief
WhatsApp is testing an optional feature in India that lets users add their date of birth, Business Today reports, citing Bloomberg. The company says it is exploring age verification methods to comply with upcoming digital rules, including provisions under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act concerning children’s personal data. The test does not make sharing a birth date compulsory, and users can continue using the app without providing it.
WhatsApp says a user’s age will not be shared with other users and that the trial will not alter the app experience. The test comes as Meta faces closer scrutiny from the Indian government on digital issues. India is WhatsApp’s largest market, with more than 60 crore users, according to the report.
The Indian Opinion
Claims that WhatsApp is immediately demanding birth dates from every Indian user overstate what is happening. Equally, treating an optional trial as harmless settles the privacy issue too quickly. Age checks can protect children, but birth dates are sensitive data and the company must explain collection, storage and deletion clearly. The real test is whether users retain access without submitting one, and whether WhatsApp publishes those safeguards before making the feature wider.
Source: bazaar.businesstoday.in
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
