Whatsapp banned 70 million Indian accounts in 2023; Steps up vigilance during elections

Meta’s WhatsApp is one of the most popular instant messaging apps, which is used by everyone across the world, According to its data report, WhatsApp has has banned 70 million accounts in India between January and November 2023. Twenty million of these accounts which were proactively banned before any reports from users were received, likely stems from its efforts to influence or spread fraud thorough the platform. This misuse could include activities such as spreading misinformation, engaging in illicit telemarketing, violating community guidelines, or other forms of abuse. Elections being the event around which these bans circle.

With the reference to Rule 4(1)(d) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021) indicates that WhatsApp is adhering to regulations set by the Indian government. This rule pertains to the prevention of fraudulent and unlawful activities on digital platforms.

For the Lok Sabha election, WhatsApp is intensifying its efforts to ensure the integrity of the platform. This may involve implementing stricter measures to detect and prevent the spread of misinformation, manipulation, or illicit activities that could influence the electoral process. By actively investigating reports of fraud and illicit telemarketing, WhatsApp aims to comply with regulatory requirements and contribute to maintaining a fair and transparent election environment.

WhatsApp implemented a progressive increase in the number of banned accounts from January to November 2023. The ban numbers rose from 2.9 million in January to 7.1 million in November, indicating a concerted effort to address misuse and maintain platform integrity.

According to its monthly reports, WhatsApp received more than 79,000 grievances from users between January and November last year. These grievances encompassed various issues such as account support, ban appeals, other support queries, product support, and safety concerns.

In response to these grievances, WhatsApp took action against 2,398 accounts. This action likely involved investigating reported accounts for violations of the platform’s terms of service, community guidelines, or applicable laws. Depending on the nature and severity of the violations, WhatsApp may have issued warnings, temporary bans, or permanent bans to the offending accounts.

By addressing user grievances and taking action against such accounts, WhatsApp aims to uphold user safety, maintain trust in the platform, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards and internal policies.