WhatsApp bans 8.4 million accounts in India to combat fraud under IT Rules 2021

Instant messaging platform WhatsApp has taken decisive action by banning more than 8.4 million accounts within a single month. The move, undertaken by its parent company Meta, aims to curb the increasing misuse of the platform for fraudulent activities. The decision follows a surge in reports from users flagging scams and suspicious behaviour.

In its latest Transparency Report, Meta detailed its enforcement efforts, revealing that 8.45 million WhatsApp accounts in India were disabled between 1 August and 31 August. 

Notably, this action aligns with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, particularly under Rule 4(1)(d) and Rule 3A(7). The crackdown reflects Meta’s vision to maintaining a secure digital environment and addressing user concerns.

Scale and Nature of the Bans

It is noteworthy that the report indicates that 1.66 million accounts were immediately removed due to severe violations, while the remaining accounts faced bans following investigations. Notably, over 1.6 million accounts were proactively identified and blocked before receiving any user complaints, demonstrating WhatsApp’s enhanced surveillance and monitoring mechanisms.

Reasons for Account Bans

WhatsApp has cited multiple reasons for this large-scale enforcement action:

• Violation of Terms of Service: Accounts engaged in bulk messaging, spam, fraudulent activities, and the spread of misleading or harmful content were targeted.
• Illegal Activities: Users involved in activities contravening Indian laws faced immediate bans, aligning with WhatsApp’s legal compliance measures.
• User Complaints: WhatsApp has acted upon numerous user reports concerning harassment, abuse, and inappropriate behaviour. Such complaints have played a pivotal role in identifying harmful accounts.

Commitment to User Safety

The stringent measures underscore WhatsApp’s ongoing efforts to foster a safer and more trustworthy digital space. With India being one of its largest markets, ensuring platform integrity remains a priority.

In August 2024, WhatsApp received 10,707 user complaints, with an impressive 93 per cent resulting in immediate action.