WhatsApp lowers the minimum age to access its service, here’s why

In the next version of its terms of use, WhatsApp will allow users aged at least 13 to register on its platform, compared to 16 years old previously.

WhatsApp announces an update to its terms of use and privacy policies in Europe. This will take place on April 11, 2024 and has the main consequence of lowering the minimum age required to create an account on the application.

From 16 to 13 years minimum

You might not know this, but until now, European users under the age of 16 were not supposed to use WhatsApp. This rule was of course not respected, but Meta, the owner of the service, officially did not allow it. The American group, however, has never put a system in place to verify the identity or age of its users.

From April 11, 2024, the minimum age required to use WhatsApp in Europe will therefore increase to 13 years, as is the case for many social networks and messaging services. “ This change will ensure that WhatsApp requirements are consistent no matter where you are in the world. ”, says the developer team.

WhatsApp adapts to DSA and DMA

This modification is not the only one made. Will also be included “ information about a new EU requirement that gives you the ability to send messages from WhatsApp to compatible third-party apps ”, we learn. But a prioriwe should not see such an opening of WhatsApp from April 11.

WhatsApp will also detail how to report and appeal decisions for content relating to a channel. The way channels are recommended will also be more transparent, with the new privacy policies.

Finally, WhatsApp explains that it is applying changes to its international data transfer mechanisms. For European users, the new EU-US data protection framework will serve as a reference.

Source : WhatsApp