A new change is coming to WhatsApp due to certain U.S. states passing age verification laws. The changes are aimed at protecting children online, and different laws and legislation bills are currently in progress.
Now, Meta is getting WhatsApp ready for these changes. In a recent beta version for Android (v.2.24.12.25) of the app, WABetaInfo discovered code that is meant to make WhatsApp ask you for your birth year. The prompt warns that the year cannot be changed later, and you need to provide it to continue using WhatsApp.
Here's how the prompt may look like when released publicly (Image Source - WABetaInfo)
For now, this feature is not available to the public. Although there's no official reason given for this feature, it's most likely connected to the laws that are currently in the works in the U.S.
It seems that Meta will not be showing your birth year within WhatsApp, and this prompt seems to only be for compliance with local laws.
It's probable this prompt will appear to you if you live in a state with age verification laws (or you're visiting).
These are currently the US states where verification laws have been passed:
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Nebraska
Oklahoma
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
This means when this update rolls out publicly, you'll probably see the prompt if you live in one of them. Of course, as with anything currently in beta, we don't know exactly when this feature will be officially released. However, it's probably going to be sooner rather than later so that WhatsApp can be compliant with the legislation.
Izzy, a tech enthusiast and a key part of the PhoneArena team, specializes in delivering the latest mobile tech news and finding the best tech deals. Her interests extend to cybersecurity, phone design innovations, and camera capabilities. Outside her professional life, Izzy, a literature master's degree holder, enjoys reading, painting, and learning languages. She's also a personal growth advocate, believing in the power of experience and gratitude. Whether it's walking her Chihuahua or singing her heart out, Izzy embraces life with passion and curiosity.
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