Did WhatsApp Really Ban Over 98 Lakh Accounts in India in June?
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Synopsis
In June, WhatsApp took a bold step by banning over 98 lakh accounts in India to combat abuse. This article delves into their efforts, proactive measures, and newly introduced features aimed at enhancing user safety and experience. Discover how WhatsApp is reshaping the messaging landscape!
Key Takeaways
- WhatsApp banned over 98 lakh accounts in June.
- Proactive bans accounted for 19.79 lakh accounts.
- Received 23,596 complaints regarding various issues.
- Introduced features like Status Ads and Promoted Channels.
- Focus on prevention over detection of harmful activities.
Mumbai, Aug 2 (NationPress) WhatsApp has taken significant action by banning over 98 lakh accounts in India during the month of June, as part of its ongoing initiative to combat abuse and harmful activities on its platform, as detailed in WhatsApp’s recent India Monthly Report.
Out of these, approximately 19.79 lakh accounts were banned proactively, prior to receiving any user complaints, according to the report.
In addition to account bans, WhatsApp responded to user grievances within India.
During this period, the platform registered 23,596 complaints through its grievance mechanisms, resulting in actions against 1,001 accounts.
These actions encompassed both banning accounts and reinstating previously banned ones following complaint reviews.
The majority of complaints pertained to ban appeals, with 16,069 cases logged, leading to actions on 756 accounts.
Other issues included account support, product support, and safety concerns, as indicated in the report.
WhatsApp highlighted that its abuse detection system operates at three key stages: during account registration, while messaging, and in response to negative feedback, such as user reports and block actions.
The company emphasized that prevention is its main priority, asserting that stopping harmful activities before they occur is far more effective than addressing them post-factum.
Moreover, WhatsApp reiterated its dedication to user safety, employing end-to-end encryption, safety tools, and specialized teams to combat abuse, misinformation, and security risks.
Additionally, the platform collaborates with experts to bolster cybersecurity and safeguard election integrity, as stated in the report.
In other news, last month, WhatsApp launched two innovative features – ‘Status Ads’ and ‘Promoted Channels’.
According to WABetaInfo, these features are currently accessible to select beta users on Android.
Status Ads function similarly to Instagram Story ads, allowing business accounts to publish paid content that will appear in users’ Status updates.
These advertisements will show up between status updates from friends and family, clearly marked with a “sponsored” label to help users easily identify them as ads.
Point of View
I observe that WhatsApp's recent actions reflect its commitment to user safety and proactive management of harmful activities on its platform. The measures taken not only demonstrate a strong stance against abuse but also indicate a significant step towards ensuring a secure digital environment for users in India.
NationPress
19/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accounts did WhatsApp ban in June?
WhatsApp banned over 98 lakh accounts in India during June to combat abuse.
What proactive measures did WhatsApp take?
Nearly 19.79 lakh accounts were banned proactively before any user complaints.
What types of complaints did WhatsApp receive?
WhatsApp received complaints related to ban appeals, account support, product support, and safety issues.
What new features were introduced by WhatsApp?
WhatsApp introduced 'Status Ads' and 'Promoted Channels' to enhance user engagement.
How does WhatsApp ensure user safety?
WhatsApp employs end-to-end encryption, safety tools, and dedicated teams to combat abuse and misinformation.
