Tech firms across the globe are frantically working to ensure GDPR compliance is implemented before the 25th of May and Facebook-owned WhatsApp is no different.

WhatsApp has announced it will ban under-16’s across Europe from using its encrypted messaging service. The previous minimum of 13 has been raised in an attempt to help the messaging service comply with new data protection regulations.

The app says users will be asked to confirm they are over 16 years old and agree to its new terms of service over the coming weeks. Precisely how the app will verify the users age is yet unclear.

Listen to Your Parent…

This move comes as Facebook begins the process of redefining its own data policy. Although Facebook owns WhatsApp, it is taking a different approach to dealing with under-16’s as it addresses GDPR compliance.

Facebook will require young users to nominate a parent or guardian, who will grant them permission to share information on the social media platform. If they do not comply with this, the user will not benefit from what Facebook defines as a ‘fully personalised version’ of its product.

Elsewhere around the globe, WhatsApp will continue its minimum age policy of 13 years old. Although many teenagers across Europe may have an issue with this announcement and probably circumvent the rules anyway – the regulations being put in place are there to protect them.

Aspects of GDPR focus heavily on the protection of children’s data. By setting a 16 year old lower limit on young people consenting to their data being handled and processed, not only provides greater protection for young people growing up in a digital world, but should make life a little simpler for WhatsApp itself.