WhatsApp Opt-In: Definition, Meaning & Guide for Indian Businesses

WhatsApp opt-in is the explicit consent a customer gives to receive WhatsApp messages from your business. Required by WhatsApp's Business Policy and by the Indian DPDP Act.

What is WhatsApp Opt-In?

WhatsApp opt-in is when a customer explicitly agrees to receive WhatsApp messages from you. It can be collected via a website checkbox, a form, a missed call, a verbal yes recorded by your sales team, or a previous WhatsApp message from the customer. The opt-in must clearly state your business name and the types of messages they will receive (offers, transactional, both). Under the DPDP Act 2023 (in force from 2026), keeping a record of when and how opt-in was collected is a legal requirement. Without recorded opt-in, you risk WhatsApp Business API number bans, customer complaints, and DPDP penalties of up to ₹250 crore.