Incident #E4E359 · 03 JUL 2026notable
WhatsApp UK privacy policy adds usernames, age checks, parent supervision, guest calls and third-party app links
The updated policy adds collection of age information (including video-selfie age estimation by a third-party provider), parental supervision features, usernames, guest use of call links, and linking to third-party apps such as calendars. It also lists new device signals, new authentication data, and the option to store backups on WhatsApp storage. Some wording on PIN-based two-step verification and encrypted location sharing was changed.
Taken from you
- More data collected: age information, proof of age, and account-linking for parent supervision
- Video selfie images shared with an age-estimation provider (deleted after estimating age)
- New device data: trusted-device signals, backup-linking identifiers, temporary guest identifiers
- Profile name and photo may be visible to anyone joining via a call link, including guests
- Linking third-party applications such as calendars is now described, and those providers may receive information you share with them.
- Meta receives additional subscription data, such as app version and entry point used
Won back
- WhatsApp now states that it limits the amount of marketing messages you can receive from businesses.
- Option to use a username that is shown instead of your phone number
- Ability to manage or revoke third-party connections through settings
- Passkeys and recovery keys added as account security options
Evidence · 4 of 4 quotes matched in source
We collect or receive age information (including proof of age in some cases), for example, if you provide your age to WhatsApp or add your WhatsApp account to an Accounts Centre with other Meta Company products.+ inserted · ✓ matched in source
To do this, they receive Account Information (e.g. images from your video selfie) and delete it after estimating your age. Learn more.+ inserted · ✓ matched in source
When you share a call link, your profile name and photo may also be visible to anyone that joins the call from the call link, including guest users.+ inserted · ✓ matched in source
Archived version ↗ · 6,918 words changed · comparison truncated