WhatsApp is gearing up for changes to comply with age verification laws in certain U.S. states, aimed at protecting children online. Meta, the company behind WhatsApp, is currently preparing the app for these upcoming changes. In a recent beta version for Android (v.2.24.12.25), code was discovered by WABetaInfo that will prompt users to provide their birth year before continuing to use WhatsApp.
This new feature is not yet available to the public, but it appears to be in response to the impending legislation in the U.S. Meta will not display your birth year within WhatsApp; this prompt is likely for compliance purposes only.
If you reside in or are visiting one of the U.S. states where age verification laws have been passed, such as Alabama, Florida, or Georgia, you can expect to see this prompt when the update goes live. While there is no official release date for this feature, it is expected to roll out soon to ensure WhatsApp aligns with the new laws.
Stay tuned for more updates as WhatsApp continues to make changes in line with evolving regulations to enhance user safety and privacy online. For now, keep an eye out for the birth year prompt when it becomes available on your device!