WhatsApp: Tips on how to avoid your account from getting banned on messenger app

Earlier this month Whatsapp released the company's official February 2025 monthly report. The report revealed what measures have been taken to cleanse the messenger app service from spams, bullying and online stalking in India.

Meta-owned entity banned more than 9.7 million accounts in India for violating its Terms of Service. And, 1.4 million plus of those accounts were proactively banned prior to any user reports.

People who use WhatsApp for texting should maintain a decorum to be able to continue use the application. Anybody who fails to adhere to the WhatsApp's user privacy and safety policy will risk getting their account suspended temporarily. If it is a really serious issue, they will be permanently banned.

Here are important tips offered by WhatsApp to prevent your account from getting banned on the messenger app:

Respect the boundaries of fellow WhatsApp users: People should respect individual's privacy. If the latter don't want to respond or don't like to be disturbed, don't flood their inbox with messages.

Also, never send any abusive or sexually provocative messages to anybody. The user can report this to WhatsApp and face a ban from using the app ever again.

Avoid sending telemarketing messages: Using personal WhatsApp account to send bulk SMS to multiple users amounts to violation of WhatsApp policy. User should subscribe to business account and only then use it for telemarketing messages.

WhatsApp uses both machine learning technology and reports from users to detect and ban accounts that send unwanted automated messages. Also, don't create accounts or groups in unauthorized or automated ways, or use modified versions of WhatsApp.

Be very cautious when forwarding messages: Whenever you receive a URL of a news post or a e-commerce website, a video or an image of a celebrity or even common people, don't forward to everyone you know. Take some time, verify the facts of the message and only when you are sure it is genuine, forward it.

There has been steady increase of circulation of fake news and also online frauds on social messenger apps.

Clicking on unverified URL will take the person to a compromised website and it may infiltrate the phone or worse steal hard-earned money from banking apps. Exercise caution whenever you receive messages such as lucky prize, cash reward or high CTC job offers. Don't be greedy. Nothing comes for free in life.

Don't blindly trust any messages on messenger apps, and avoid forwarding things to anybody. This will break the chain and save people from online fraudsters.

Use broadcast messaging responsibly: Fake news can lead to riots and harm the society. Whenever you receive a news post or any video or images, take a pause and go online to check the authenticity of the story.

Just don't violate WhatsApp user policy: Avoid publishing falsehoods and engaging in illegal, defamatory, intimidating, and harassing behaviour, among others. For more information or examples of activities that violate WhatsApp’s Terms of Service, you can review the “Acceptable Use of Our Services” section of the Terms of Service.

If the account is banned without proper verification, the user can follow this procedure to ask WhatsApp to review the ban.

Email WhatsApp (here) or tap request a review in the app. WhatsApp will look into the case and get back to the user as soon as they complete the review.

When a user requests a review in the app, he/she will be prompted to enter a 6-digit registration code sent via SMS.

Once the user enter it, he/she will able to submit the request for a review and add details to support his/her case.

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