Whatsapp plans a widespread ban; check if you are on the list?
Reportedly, the widespread ban of users under the age of 16 will only take place within the European Union.
We are not sure whether the same rules will be applicable in all the other countries as well as the company has not made a statement regarding the same.
Immensely popular chatting app WhatsApp recently made an announcement that suggested that they will be raising the minimum age of users to sixteen from May 25 onwards. Reportedly, the widespread ban of users under the age of 16 will only take place within the European Union. We are not sure whether the same rules will be applicable in all the other countries as well as the company has not made a statement regarding the same. The Facebook-owned platform allegedly raised its minimum age from 13 to 16 in Europe with the objective to comply with new data privacy rules.
From May 25 onwards, the chatting application will ask European users to confirm that they are at least 16 years old while they are prompted to agree with the new terms of service and a privacy policy provided by a new WhatsApp Ireland Ltd entity in the next few weeks. Interestingly, the application will not require strict age verification. In fact, it will merely ask users to tick a box to confirm their age.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) — which will soon be coming into force — will apparently be changing the way businesses like WhatsApp can use data.
Notably, Facebook already bars under-13s from signing up.
One can’t help but wonder — especially given how easy it is for a user to slip through the age restriction condition — how the company will stop those who are under 16 years of age from signing up. The social media giant does not require an official age proof, which means that any kid who has access to the internet, can easily sign up for the service.
- Republic.
