WhatsApp tests age verification in India ahead of new Data Protection rules

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Aug 7, 2026: Due to a recent episode of the “accidental removal” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video on Facebook, Meta is under heightened scrutiny in India.

Meta has been accused of showing a lack of urgency in curbing the circulation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), deepfakes and misinformation on its platforms, including Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp.

With a user base of more than 60 crore, India is the largest market for WhatsApp globally. Meta has therefore begun a pilot programme to send age-verification notifications to select users in India. The initiative is part of an exercise to comply with the upcoming enforcement of Phase 2 of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act.

“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,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said.

The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, enacted in November 2025, is scheduled to enter its second phase of implementation on November 13, 2026. Under this phase, social media platforms will be required to establish simplified Data Consent Management systems within their apps.

Companies such as Meta, X and Google will have to put in place a regulatory framework and provide interoperable platforms that allow individuals to easily give, manage, review and withdraw consent for the use of their data.

The DPDP Act is scheduled to come into full effect in May 2027. Social media platforms will then be required to comply with all provisions and enforce orders, including takedown notices issued by the police, judiciary and government, without undue delay.

Platform owners will also be required to implement strict user privacy and security safeguards. In the event of a data breach, they must notify authorities and affected users as early as possible. They will also be required to store user data within India.

For now, age verification is an optional test on WhatsApp, and users do not have to confirm their age to continue using the messaging app.