WhatsApp Banned In India News: META-owned WhatsApp has banned over 22.31 million accounts in India. This is the report presented for the first quarter of 2024. If we talk about the previous year’s stats for the same period, then the WhatApp banned accounts were around 12.23 million in 2023.
WhatsApp has over 500 million users in India only. This is the highest number for any individual country. If the reports are to be believed, most policy violations take place in India only. This is the reason why it bans a huge number of Indian accounts every year to enhance safety and privacy.
Following compliance with the current Lok Sabha Elections in India, WhatsApp has taken action against the accounts spreading false information and spam messages. Here, we’ve stated why Indian WhatsApp accounts got banned and some quick tips to prevent your WhatsApp account from being banned.
Why WhatsApp Accounts Got Banned In India?
WhatsApp claims that the prohibitions were enacted in compliance with Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, specifically Rule 4(1)(d) and Rule 3A(7).
According to the platform, these accounts’ actions were made in response to complaints that users in India filed through its various grievance channels. Additionally, the business used WhatsApp’s prevention and detection mechanisms to deactivate accounts that were found to have violated the platform’s Terms of Service or Indian laws.
WhatsApp started taking action against inappropriate accounts in January 2024 banning around 6.7 million accounts. This continued in February and March. Around 7.6 million and 7.9 million accounts were banned in these two months respectively. WhatsApp stated it will continue to ban such accounts to protect users’ privacy.
Throughout the year, WhatsApp has been adding security features to improve user safety and privacy. As of right now, the app offers end-to-end encryption, chat lock, and the ability to mute unfamiliar numbers, making it a secure and private multi-platform messaging tool.
WhatsApp Accounts Ban in 2023
Last year, WhatsApp banned over 75 million accounts throughout the year. Here’s detailed monthly data:
| Month | No. of Accounts Banned |
| January | 2.9 million |
| February | 4.5 million |
| March | 4.7 million |
| April | 7.4 million |
| May | 6.5 million |
| June | 6.6 million |
| July | 7.2 million |
| August | 7.4 million |
| September | 7.1 million |
| October | 7.5 million |
| November | 7.1 million |
| December | 6.9 million |
| Total | 75 million |
Important Tips To Avoid WhatsApp Bans
If you’re also thinking how to avoid WhatsApp bans, you can take some precautionary steps. You also need to be mindful while using the platform to protect your account as well as other privacy and safety. Here are some additional tips that can help you to avoid WhatsApp bans in the future:
Using Unauthorized WhatsApp Versions
If you are also someone who uses unauthorized versions of WhatsApp, action could be taken against your account. WhatsApp versions like GB WhatsApp, WhatsApp Prime, WhatsApp Plus, WhatsApp Go, and OG WhatsApp are third-party developed. These applications are unsafe and risky. This may lead your account to be banned permanently.
Automated and Bulk Messages
Avoid sending bulk messages or opting for automated messages and auto-dialing on WhatsApp. It uses the users’ reports and machine learning techniques. Both these methods help to detect the source of bulk messaging and ban the particular account.
Forward Wrong and Misleading Content
To inspire users to think twice before sharing, WhatsApp has limited the amount of repetitions you can send messages and added a label to every message that is shared. Don’t forward a communication or message if you are unsure of its trustworthiness or don’t know who sent it.
Adding to Group Without Permission
Contacts should be asked for permission before being added to a group. Respect their choice if you invite someone to join a group and they decline. A contact should be deleted from your address book and you should not message them again if they don’t prefer. Neglecting to do so can lead to several reports against your account and even banning.
Violating WhatsApp’s Terms of Services
WhatsApp works through certain terms of services and policies which need to be maintained by all its users. If you use WhatsApp for defamatory, illegal, harassing, intimidating, or false purpose, it’ll block and ban your account. So, you should not opt for any such activity.
Over-using Broadcast List
If you also overuse the broadcasting list, it could be the reason for your account ban. These messages are only received when all the list members have added you to their contacts. Frequent using of broadcasting lists may lead to people reporting your account who may not know you. If your account is reported multiple times, it’ll automatically get banned.
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FAQs
Ques 1. What is the number of Indian WhatsApp accounts banned in 2023?
Ans. As per the official reports, over 75 million WhatsApp accounts with +91 have been banned in 2023.
Ques 2. Does forwarding false messages lead to a WhatsApp account ban?
Ans. Yes, WhatsApp bans accounts if you are forwarding messages without verification.
Ques 3. Is WhatsApp banned in India news true?
Ans. WhatsApp accounts get banned in India monthly due to violations of policies and other unacceptable offenses.
Conclusion
WhatsApp banning huge numbers of Indian accounts shows the irresponsibility of users while communicating and using the platform. As META constantly works towards the regulations and guidelines to enhance the user experience, you must also be responsible while using the applications. That said, if you don’t want your account to be banned permanently be extremely cautious while sharing content and communicating.