Meta-Owned WhatsApp Bans 2.3 Mn Indian Accounts In July 2022

Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has banned 2.3 Mn Indian accounts in the month of July for violating guidelines and norms. Of this, 1.4 Mn accounts were proactively blocked by the messaging app whilst the remaining 971K accounts were reported by the users. 

The cited information is a part of WhatsApp’s compliance report that the messaging platform publishes every month in accordance with the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. 

In July, a total of 574 Indian accounts were reported while the messaging platform took action against only 27 accounts. Of this, 392 accounts were flagged for ban appeals, 116 accounts were reported for account support, 44 accounts were reported for product support (21) and safety (13) and 21 accounts reported for other support.

These reports, which are essentially grievances, are shared by the users either by mailing their issues/complaints to the WhatsApp grievance officer or post letters to the India Grievance Officer. 

Besides responding and taking action against the cited reports, the messaging platform also uses tools and resources to stop detrimental behaviour on its app.

 “We are particularly focused on prevention because we believe it is much better to stop harmful activity from happening in the first place than to detect it after harm has occurred,” WhatsApp said in its compliance report. 

Explaining the abuse detection process, the messaging platform said that the abuse is identified on three stages– at the time of registration, during messaging and reverting to negative feedback shared by users. 

“A team of analysts augments these systems to evaluate edge cases and help improve our effectiveness over time,” the messaging platform stated in its report. 

The monthly compliance report is unveiled at a time when the Meta-led messaging platform is facing criticism from the Centre and judicial bodies over its privacy policy and dominance in the market. 

Recently, the Centre is looking to have consultations with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to regulate OTT messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram, among others. The discussions will be held to cease these messaging apps from misusing technology. 

Add to that, the Delhi High Court condemned WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy stating the messaging platform forces users to acknowledge the policy by showcasing a wide range of choices. The apex court also dismissed WhatsApp’s plea that asked to revoke regulatory body CCI’s investigation into its updated privacy policy.