New IT Rules Push WhatsApp To Ban 1.7 Million Accounts In India

The new IT rules of India that came into action from May 2021 made WhatsApp file monthly grievance reports based on which actions are taken. The grievance report by WhatsApp generally consists of reports and complaints by Indian users. Recently, WhatsApp has submitted the sixth monthly grievance report and according to the report between 1 November 2021 and 30 November 2021, WhatsApp has banned a total of 1,759,000 user accounts. The number of accounts blocked in November last month is less compared to the number of users blocked in September and October 2021 which was close to approximately 2 million user accounts. For considering the accounts that need to be blocked, the abuse detection process of WhatsApp and the in-app reporting system is counted. 

Why Has WhatsApp Started Blocking Accounts?

WhatsApp is the most popular messaging platform and it has a large user base in India. In fact, it is more popular than SMS. Even though WhatsApp serves as a medium to communicate for professional and personal reasons, it has also proved to be a platform for spreading fake news and misinformation that has sometimes resulted in riots and disturbances. To prevent such misuse of the app, WhatsApp has started taking serious actions against such activities by ensuring that the users can report issues and alert the concerned authorities. Both the messages and WhatsApp Status can be reported and brought to attention by the authorities if found objectionable. 

Even though one might argue that WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted and therefore, users cannot be held accountable, it is not the case. WhatsApp keeps track of several metadata which can be used for taking actions if necessary. 

“Terms Of Service” of WhatsApp 

To know what can actually result in blocking an account by a WhatsApp account, it is important to go through the Terms of Service listed on the official website of WhatsApp. Here is what can get you banned on WhatsApp. 

1. Impersonating someone

WhatsApp is against impersonation and any account found to be impersonating someone will result in a banned account. For instance, if someone creates an account impersonating a writer and posts Sad Status and someone reports it, the account will be closed. 

2. Sending too many messages to someone who is not on your contact list 

Spamming people is discouraged by WhatsApp and if the platform finds you sending plenty of messages to someone who is not on your contact list, WhatsApp may ban you. In addition to sending too many messages, bulk messaging, auto-dialing and auto-messaging are impermissible too. 

3. Getting blocked by too many users 

If someone is being blocked by too many WhatsApp users, WhatsApp will block you without considering whether you are in their contact list or not as the account is classified as a spam message source. This holds true if too many WhatsApp users report you too. 

4. Phishing and malware link will result in an account ban

WhatsApp may block your account if it finds you sending phishing or malware links to other users. 

5. Sending porn clips and threats are not allowed by WhatsApp

WhatsApp is strictly against sending porn clips, defamatory messages, illegal and obscene messages, and images to other users. Other messages that can result in a banned account include harassing, intimidating, and hateful messages. 

6. Fake messages and videos that promote violence will be strictly dealt with 

WhatsApp is strictly against the users who use the platform to spread fake information and videos that can promote violence. WhatsApp in its terms of service has warned the users to stay away from such activities. 

According to the official website of WhatsApp, the services of the platform can only be used for acceptable, legal, and authorized purposes. One is not allowed to use WhatsApp to violate public and private intellectual property or other property rights. In addition to that, it is unacceptable to send illegal, defamatory, harassing, threatening messages that can have a harmful impact on others and this includes ethnically and racially offensive messages and hateful messages. 

In the latest report, WhatsApp stated that it has received 602 user reports that include account support, ban appeal, product support, safety, and other support. 95% of the user accounts that were banned were a result of sending automated and bulk messages. The new IT rules that were introduced last year require large digital platforms to publish compliance reports that include information on the complaints received by the platforms and actions taken to address the same. 

source https://nrinews24x7.com/new-it-rules-push-whatsapp-to-ban-1-7-million-accounts-in-india/

January 13, 2022