According to a report by NDTV Profit, the company confirmed that the feature is being rolled out to a limited group of users after screenshots circulated online showing a prompt that reads “Add your date of birth.” The message cites upcoming Indian laws that require the platform to ask for users’ age.
A WhatsApp spokesperson stated: “To comply with upcoming laws in India like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, we are testing privacy-protective ways for people to confirm their age.”
The company emphasised that the feature remains optional during the testing phase. Users are not required to provide their date of birth in order to continue using the messaging service. “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 spokesperson added.
The trial comes as India moves closer to operationalising provisions of the DPDP Act that require platforms processing children’s personal data to put in place age-verification measures. These measures are intended to determine whether users are below 18 years of age and to ensure appropriate safeguards are applied.
The development also takes place against a backdrop of increased regulatory attention on Meta’s operations in India. Earlier this week, Meta issued an apology after temporarily restricting a Facebook post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi concerning examination paper leaks.
In a separate development, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has asked WhatsApp to delay the rollout of its username feature. The proposed feature would allow users to connect without sharing mobile numbers. The ministry cited concerns related to impersonation and digital fraud as reasons for seeking a postponement.
WhatsApp’s current test focuses specifically on age confirmation rather than broader identity verification. By framing the request as optional and stressing that age data will not be visible to other users, the company is attempting to balance regulatory preparedness with user privacy expectations.
Industry observers note that age-verification requirements under data protection laws often present technical and operational challenges for large messaging platforms. Solutions must be designed to minimise friction for adult users while providing reasonable assurance that minors are identified where necessary. WhatsApp’s approach of beginning with a limited, optional test suggests an incremental strategy aimed at gathering feedback before any wider implementation.
The DPDP Act represents a significant shift in India’s data governance framework. Once fully enforced, platforms that handle personal data of children will be expected to demonstrate clear processes for age determination and parental consent where applicable. Messaging services, given their widespread use across age groups, are likely to face particular scrutiny on this front.
For now, the majority of WhatsApp users in India will not encounter the date-of-birth prompt. Those included in the test group retain the choice to skip the request without any disruption to their service. The company has not indicated a timeline for expanding the test or making age confirmation mandatory.
The parallel regulatory discussions around the username feature highlight the broader environment in which WhatsApp is operating. Authorities appear focused on reducing risks of misuse while platforms continue to introduce new ways for users to interact. Delaying the username rollout, combined with early testing of age-related features, illustrates the careful navigation required between product innovation and compliance obligations.
As the DPDP Act’s age-verification provisions move toward implementation, further clarity is expected on the technical standards and timelines platforms must meet. WhatsApp’s current limited test represents an early step in that process, one that prioritises optionality and privacy assurances while signalling readiness to adapt to the evolving legal landscape.
