New Delhi: WhatsApp has begun testing an age-verification feature for select users in India as the Meta-owned messaging platform gears up to comply with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, marking a significant shift in how digital platforms will handle the personal data of minors.
The move comes months ahead of the DPDP Act coming into force on May 13, 2027, a landmark legislation that introduces stringent obligations for social media and digital platforms processing the personal data of children. The development also coincides with heightened government scrutiny of Meta over its proposed username feature and a recent technical issue that saw thousands of WhatsApp accounts placed under review without warning.
Users face outage as WhatsApp begins age-confirmation tests
WhatsApp has begun testing an age-confirmation feature in India ahead of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, effective on May 13, 2027. The law mandates verifiable parental consent before processing data of… pic.twitter.com/QRTD3E1PZO
— Ritam English (@english_ritam) August 5, 2026
WhatsApp begins age-confirmation tests
WhatsApp has confirmed that it has started testing an age-confirmation mechanism in India, aimed at ensuring compliance with the upcoming data protection regime. The company has maintained that the new feature will not alter the core user experience or the functioning of the messaging platform.
The age verification process is expected to help identify users below the age of 18, enabling WhatsApp to comply with the DPDP Act’s child data protection requirements. The legislation mandates that digital platforms obtain verifiable consent from a parent or lawful guardian before processing the personal data of any user below 18 years of age.
DPDP act brings tough rules for big tech
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act will fundamentally change how platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and X handle children’s data in India.
Once implemented, companies will be prohibited from processing the personal data of minors without verified parental consent. The law also bars platforms from engaging in behavioural monitoring or tracking of children and expressly prohibits targeted advertising aimed at users below the age of 18.
The provisions are expected to force technology companies to redesign several aspects of user onboarding, identity verification and data processing practices. Commenting on WhatsApp’s latest move, IT Secretary S. Krishnan said the age-confirmation exercise “might be from the context of the DPDP Act,” adding that the government would examine the company’s implementation as the compliance deadline approaches.
Government keeps close watch on Meta
WhatsApp’s age-verification tests come at a time when Meta is already facing increased attention from the Centre.
The government has raised concerns over WhatsApp’s proposed username feature, which would allow users to communicate without revealing their mobile numbers. Officials are examining the implications of the feature from both security and regulatory perspectives.
Adding to the developments, Meta’s global public policy leadership, including Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan, is scheduled to meet senior government officials in New Delhi on August 5. The discussions assume added significance after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s post addressing the youth was briefly restricted on Facebook, prompting the Centre to seek explanations from the company.
The rollout of age-verification tests also comes against the backdrop of a widespread WhatsApp disruption that left thousands of users locked out of their accounts earlier this week. Beginning around 8 pm IST, users across several countries, including India, reported that their WhatsApp accounts had been unexpectedly placed under review for up to 24 hours. Affected users were unable to send messages or make calls and were greeted with a notification stating:
“Account in review. Your account activity and device information are being checked.” The sudden account reviews triggered widespread confusion and criticism on social media, with many users insisting they had not violated any community guidelines.
Meta says automated security error
Responding to the backlash, WhatsApp clarified that the temporary account restrictions were linked to its automated security systems designed to prevent misuse of the platform. A WhatsApp spokesperson said the company routinely bans suspicious accounts to protect users but acknowledged that automated systems can occasionally make mistakes.
“We continuously work to keep our platform safe and prevent misuse. To do this, we ban accounts as part of our security systems. However, sometimes even our automated systems make mistakes. If this has happened, we are working to fix it as quickly as possible and get people back to chatting,” the spokesperson said.
According to reports, Meta quickly resolved the technical issue and restored access to most affected accounts.
With less than a year remaining before the DPDP Act becomes operational, major technology companies are expected to accelerate the rollout of compliance measures, including age verification, parental consent mechanisms and stronger safeguards for children’s online privacy.
WhatsApp’s pilot marks one of the first visible steps by a major digital platform to align with India’s evolving data protection framework.
As the regulatory deadline draws closer, the company’s implementation of age verification is likely to serve as a blueprint for how other social media platforms adapt to the country’s stricter privacy and child safety standards.
