WhatsApp Just Banned 98 Lakh Users in India – Could You Be Next?
WhatsApp has cracked down hard. In June 2024, it banned over 98 lakh Indian accounts, citing spam, fraud, and misuse. The company released this data in its monthly transparency report under India’s IT Rules, 2021.
If you’re wondering whether your account is safe, here’s what you need to know.
Why Did WhatsApp Ban So Many Accounts?
WhatsApp uses AI tools to detect abnormal behaviour like bulk messaging, impersonation, and illegal activities.
Out of the 98 lakh bans:
- Nearly 20 lakh accounts were banned proactively, without any user reports.
- The rest were banned after complaints and internal review.
These proactive bans show that WhatsApp relies more on automated detection than user complaints.
Complaints from Indian Users
WhatsApp received 23,596 user complaints in June 2024 alone. These complaints included requests to:
- Ban fake accounts
- Restore wrongly banned accounts
- Flag harassment or fraud
Out of these, only 1,001 accounts were actioned, either banned or reinstated.
Here’s a quick look:
| Report Type | Count (June 2024) |
|---|---|
| Total Bans | 98,09,000 |
| Proactive Bans | 19,79,000 |
| User Complaints | 23,596 |
| Actioned Accounts | 1,001 |
How to Keep Your WhatsApp Account Safe
WhatsApp bans accounts that:
- Send bulk or auto-generated messages
- Use unofficial apps like GBWhatsApp
- Are reported by many users
- Violate local laws or platform rules
Avoid these actions if you want to stay safe.
Also, do not forward suspicious links or scam messages. WhatsApp’s systems can flag such behaviour instantly.
Did You Know?
India is WhatsApp’s largest market, with over 500 million users. That means 1 in every 50 users got banned in June!
Final Word
The next ban wave could hit your contact list. WhatsApp is serious about curbing misuse and automates much of this process.
So, if you use any grey-area tactics or forward too many messages, your account might get banned next.
Stay clean, stay safe — and don’t take WhatsApp’s rules lightly.
