WhatsApp Raise Minimum Age Requirement

WhatsApp to raise the minimum age requirement from 13 to 16.

13:53 09 July 2018

WhatsApp has announced its plans to raise the minimum age requirement for users in Europe from 13 to 16 in compliance to the new EU rules around data protection. The new rules, which will take effect in May, says that a person can join an online service without the consent of their parents or guardian only if they are at least 16 years old.

 

However, the company is yet to reveal how it will enforce the new age controls. Facebook, which already bars under-13s from signing up have millions of users that are yet to reach their 13th birthday. These users simply have to pretend that they are older and they can sign up easily because the social networking site does not require proof of age or identification.

 

Thus, many experts believe that the same thing will happen to WhatsApp despite its recent announcement on minimum age requirement. Many believe that the best way to enforce the new law is to impose stiff penalties. WhatsApp would surely pay attention if their non-compliance to the new rule will have serious financial implications. According to the legislation, fines can go up to either £20million or 4per cent of the annual global turnover.