In June, WhatsApp removed over 9.8 million accounts in India as part of its ongoing efforts to address misuse and harmful behaviours on its platform, according to a recent monthly report. A significant portion of the banned accounts—approximately 1.98 million—were preemptively disabled prior to any user complaints being submitted. The report also details the company’s response to user grievances lodged during that month.
June Sees 16,069 Appeals Related to Account Bans
The messaging service, owned by Meta, has indicated that it banned more than 9.8 million accounts due to harmful behaviour, as documented in its most recent India Monthly Report. The report disclosed that nearly 1.98 million accounts were flagged and banned proactively, even before any users filed complaints. These statistics are released in accordance with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules (2021).
Additionally, WhatsApp addressed a number of user complaints originating from India. In June, the platform received a total of 23,596 complaints, resulting in actions taken against 1,001 accounts. The responses included banning certain accounts or reinstating those that had been previously disabled based on user feedback.
Among the total complaints, 16,069 were related to appeals against bans, which prompted action on 756 accounts. The report categorized other complaints into various types, including requests for account assistance, product-related inquiries, and safety issues.
WhatsApp emphasizes its strategy of preventing harmful activities before they occur rather than relying solely on later detection. The company’s abuse detection system is designed to function at three crucial points: during account setup, while messaging, and in response to negative user feedback.
In related news, WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new night mode feature for its Android app aimed at enhancing low-light photography. This feature, currently being tested in beta, will introduce a dedicated night mode within the camera interface, focusing on improving brightness and clarity without the use of filters or additional effects.
