WhatsApp bans , the popular messaging app, banned over 69 lakh accounts in India in December 2023 in compliance with the new IT Rules 2021. The company said that it has taken action against these accounts for violating its terms of service, which include spreading misinformation, hate speech, and spam.
The ban coincides with India’s government cracking down on social media firms to curb misinformation and hate speech. In February 2021, new IT Rules mandated social media companies to remove objectionable content.
The new rules also require social media companies to appoint a grievance officer in India responsible for addressing user complaints. WhatsApp has appointed a grievance officer in India and is working to comply with the new IT Rules.
The ban on over 69 lakh accounts is a significant step by WhatsApp to curb the spread of misinformation and hate speech in India. The company said it will continue to act against accounts that violate its terms of service.
Why did WhatsApp ban these accounts?
WhatsApp has not released a specific breakdown of why it banned these accounts, but they likely faced bans for violating one or more of the following terms of service.
Spreading misinformation:
WhatsApp has a policy against spreading misinformation, which includes false or misleading information about COVID-19, vaccines, and elections.
Hate speech:
WhatsApp prohibits hate speech, which encompasses content promoting violence or hatred based on race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
Spam:
WhatsApp has a policy against spam, including unsolicited messages sent in bulk.
What can you do to avoid getting banned from WhatsApp?
Adhering to the company’s terms of service is essential to avoid facing bans from WhatsApp.
This includes avoiding spreading misinformation, hate speech, and spam. It’s also critical to respect other users and refrain from harassing or bullying people via the app.
If you think WhatsApp has wrongfully banned you, you can appeal the decision by contacting the company’s grievance officer.
What does this mean for the future of WhatsApp in India?
The ban on over 69 lakh accounts is a significant step by WhatsApp to curb the spread of misinformation and hate speech in India. However, it remains to be seen whether this will satisfy the Indian government.
The government is likely to continue pressuring social media companies to do more to curb the spread of harmful content.
If WhatsApp does not comply with the government’s demands, it could face fines or even a ban in India.
This would significantly blow WhatsApp, which has over 500 million users in India. The company would likely lose significant revenue if it were banned in India.
The ban on over 69 lakh accounts is just one step WhatsApp takes to comply with the new IT Rules. The company is also working to appoint a grievance officer in India and develop new tools to help users report harmful content.
However, it is clear that WhatsApp is taking the new IT Rules seriously and is working to comply with them.
