WhatsApp Bans Over 7 Crore Accounts In India In 2023, Cites Violation Of Terms And Laws

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has revealed that it blocked more than seven crore accounts in India from 1 January 2023, to 30 November 2023.

This data, shared monthly, sheds light on the reasons behind the bans, ranging from user complaints to breaking Indian laws or WhatsApp rules.

A whopping 69,307,254 accounts were banned during this period, and this number might be even higher considering that December 2023 data is not included, reported Indian Express.

WhatsApp noted that over two crore accounts were banned proactively before users reported them, highlighting the platform's commitment to addressing potential issues promptly.

WhatsApp's system to detect abuse operates in three stages: during account registration, messaging, and in response to negative feedback.

When users report or block an account, a team of analysts reviews the reports to decide if the accounts should be banned.

In 2023, WhatsApp received over 79,000 complaints from users, leading to action against 2,398 accounts.

The term 'actioned' means either banning an account or restoring a previously banned one based on user complaints.

Monthly reports by WhatsApp also highlight how it identifies Indian accounts using the country's '+91' prefix code.