According to a new survey by LocalCircles, approximately 76 percent of participants have reported an increase in unsolicited calls and SMS messages that are linked to their interactions with WhatsApp business accounts and engagement on Facebook or Instagram.
The survey, conducted from February 1 to 20, revealed that 95 percent of WhatsApp users reported receiving at least one unwanted message daily, with 41 percent indicating that they receive four or more such messages each day.
A spokesperson from Meta addressed the issue, stating that WhatsApp has implemented systems designed to swiftly suspend businesses from sending messages if users report a low-quality experience.
“If a business accumulates substantial negative feedback, we may restrict or revoke its ability to use WhatsApp,” the Meta spokesperson noted.
To gauge the prevalence of unsolicited commercial messages, LocalCircles asked respondents if they had observed a rise in such messages relating to their interactions with WhatsApp business users or their activities on Facebook or Instagram.
The survey found that nearly three-quarters, or 76 percent, of the 12,215 WhatsApp users who answered this question reported an increase in annoying or unsolicited commercial messages linked to their conversations with WhatsApp business accounts and their activities on the platforms owned by Meta, including Facebook and Instagram.
The study claims to have gathered over 51,000 responses from citizens across 351 districts in India.
LocalCircles indicated that a significant number of users are utilizing available features like blocking or archiving, yet the influx of spam messages continues. This suggests that the senders may be changing numbers or that the volume of spam is so high that it remains a persistent issue.
“A considerable majority, approximately 73 percent of the 12,673 respondents to this question, reported that they actively block the numbers from which unsolicited commercial messages originate,” the report highlighted.
The Meta spokesperson emphasized the importance of user choice, stating that individuals have the option to block business accounts.
“At WhatsApp, user choice is paramount. Messaging offers a more effective way to conduct business compared to SMS, email, and phone calls, which have become cluttered with spam. Users have the choice to decide whether or not to engage with businesses,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also mentioned that WhatsApp collaborates with businesses to ensure their messages are relevant and anticipated.
“We limit the number of messages businesses can send daily. Recently, we introduced a straightforward way for customers to opt out of receiving certain message types directly within the chat,” the spokesperson added.
