Updated January 2, 2024 09:24 IST
Meta-owned WhatsApp has revealed that it banned over 71 lakh accounts in India during November 2023. The detailed account of these actions was provided in the monthly report under the IT Rules, 2021, published on January 1, 2024. In a proactive stance, the company had already banned 19,54,000 accounts before any user reported policy violations during the same period.
WhatsApp, identifying Indian users through the +91 phone number prefix, adheres to the guidelines set forth in India’s IT Rules, 2021. The monthly report disclosed that WhatsApp received 8,841 grievances in November, with decisive actions taken on six reported accounts. Additionally, the Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC), a committee instituted by the Government of India to address citizen concerns on social media platforms, submitted eight reports to WhatsApp. The company confirmed compliance with all eight GAC reports.
The user-safety report, as stated by WhatsApp, provides details on user complaints and the corresponding actions taken by the platform to combat abuse actively. WhatsApp, recognizing the importance of maintaining a secure environment, remains dedicated to implementing preventive measures to ensure user safety.
The platform deploys several measures to tackle abuse, offering tools and resources to prevent harmful behavior at three different levels: during registration, messaging, and in response to negative feedback. When a user reports an account, a dedicated team of analysts reviews the case, evaluating whether strict action, such as a permanent ban, is warranted.
Throughout the year, WhatsApp has introduced numerous security features aimed at enhancing user privacy and safety. Among these features are end-to-end encryption, mute unknown numbers, and chat lock, contributing to WhatsApp’s reputation as a private and secure cross-platform messaging service.
As WhatsApp continues its commitment to user safety, the platform’s actions against policy violations underscore the significance of maintaining a secure and trustworthy digital space for its extensive user base.