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WHATSAPP IS BANNING people under the age of 16 years from using its app in Europe.
The popular messaging service is raising the minimum age at which people can register to use it from 13 to 16, ahead of new data privacy rules coming into force next month.
In a statement explaining the change, WhatsApp said people living in Europe “must be at least 16 years old to use our services”.
The minimum age of 13 is remaining in place outside Europe.
“In addition to being of the minimum required age to use our services under applicable law, if you are not old enough to have authority to agree to our terms in your country, your parent or guardian must agree to our terms on your behalf,” the statement notes.
The company, which is owned by Facebook, is making changes to its privacy policy ahead of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) coming into effect in the European Union on 25 May.
A separate statement notes: “WhatsApp cares deeply about your privacy and security.
Every message and call is secured by end-to-end encryption so that no one, not even WhatsApp, can read or listen to your conversations.
“In the coming weeks, you will be able to download and see the limited data that we collect. This feature will be rolling out to all users around the world on the newest version of the app.”
In terms of data sharing, the statement adds: “We are not currently sharing account information to improve your product and ads experience on Facebook.
As we have said in the past, we want to work closer with other Facebook companies in the future and we will keep you updated as we develop our plans.
“When we receive reports of a bad actor sending unwanted messages – like SPAM or abusive content – on either WhatsApp or Facebook, we share information and can take action including blocking them across both services.”
Earlier this month, the Office the Data Protection Commissioner said it was “actively supervising Facebook’s progress in cleaning up its act and ensuring users’ data is protected“.
Up to 45,000 Irish Facebook profiles may have been impacted by the Cambridge Analytica data breach which affected some 87 million users worldwide.
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“Are you 16 or older?”
“No. I mean yes. Yes I am over 16″
“Ok then. Good enough for us. You may use the app”
@Shane Fleming: Reminds me of a Futurama episode where they log onto the Internet, and there’s a procession of little boys’ heads on fake adult bodies trying to get into the adult chatrooms.
Here is how it will work:
10 year old installs WhatsApp
Ticks ‘I am over 16′ box
Uses WhatsApp.
@Greg Mumble: I don’t see the taking the time or effort to do that.
“WhatsApp cares deeply about your privacy and security” it sounds about as true as an honest politician.
@Tae: They might do by proxy, security of communication is becoming a big thing in consumers minds. It’s already rumoured that whatsapp have refused the UK government access to any messages.
How can they enforce that?
@Dr Rex Butts: By using magic fairy dust.
@Dr Rex Butts: They will probably try through Google Play etc. Then kids will just get the apk easily elsewhere and share it. In the meantime parents will think their kids cant get it. Many are moving to Telegram and others now.
@Dr Rex Butts: They don’t care about enforcing it.
The point is they are no longer responsible then and if someone underage is using it as its a breach of the terms
@Greg Mumble: so if some asks your team jersey and you say ” I am 10″ or your niece or nephew takes a selfie, you get locked out? They are just some examples
@Greg Mumble: Its a non starter though as Whatsapp data is encrypted end to end so they cannot view any of the content.
The selfie photo is also a non starter as so many people use pictures of their children as their profile pictures.
Admirable all these intentions are, wonderful as people like to think technology is, its much like having speed limits, with no one to enforce them, you’ll still have plenty breaking them.
How are they going to enforce and validate a users age?
The only real answer (because there are and always will be no joined up plan amongst all tech companies on these) is education by parents. Problem is, some parents don’t care, some parents won’t parent and others need education themselves but probably are not aware or not willing.
Another case of a company doing a parents job.
@Roy Dowling: hardly..
What will happen to any users currently under 16, who registered and are using the App?
Will they lose access to their existing data?
Same as Pornhub…are you 18? I am aye
@Shy Tall Knight: I wouldn’t know, I’m only 17
The age checks will be as useful as a chocolate fireguard.
How they plan on enforcing that rule is anyone’s guess. This is simple window dressing for GDPR.
How can they prove people’s age?
Sure wont they just turn to sending letters ? Nothing wrong with it
@Noel Walsh: yep, and polaroid pics. Then they have to get up and get the post before the parents.
I wonder will 25 year old Ulster Rugby Players and immediate friends be allowed use it?
This is madness. I remember reading somewhere that if they (for Ireland users) got the persons PPS numbers when signing up and stuff for all social media that’s how they could confirm the age…
@CC: as young children’s parents are usually the holders of their PPS their child would ask ‘what’s my PPS’ and therefore the parent will know
have your say