WhatsApp Blocks 98 Lakh Indian Accounts In June; Adds Business-Focused Features

WhatsApp blocked over 98 lakh accounts in India during June as part of its continued efforts to prevent misuse of the platform, according to its latest compliance report.

Out of these, nearly 19.79 lakh accounts were removed proactively, before receiving any user complaints. This highlights the platform’s use of automated systems to detect and prevent violations in real time.

The report also noted that WhatsApp responded to user complaints across India.

In total, 23,596 complaints were received, and 1,001 accounts were acted upon. These actions included both fresh bans and reinstatements after reviewing user appeals.

A large portion of these complaints, over 16,000, were ban-related appeals.

WhatsApp responded by taking action on 756 of those accounts. Other complaints involved issues like account access, product functionality, and safety concerns.

The company explained that it uses a layered approach to abuse detection, monitoring activity during sign-up, during active messaging, and when users report or block accounts. It prioritises prevention, aiming to stop harmful behaviour before it impacts others.

Reinforcing its commitment to user safety, WhatsApp says it relies on encryption, in-app tools, and specialised teams to tackle abuse, misinformation, and online threats. It also collaborates with experts to support cybersecurity and election security initiatives.

Separately, the platform has begun rolling out two new features designed for businesses:

• Status Ads, and
• Promoted Channels

According to WABetaInfo, these tools are being tested by select Android beta users.

Status Ads function similarly to Instagram’s Story ads, allowing businesses to pay for content placement in the Status feed.

These ads are marked as ‘sponsored’ and appear between users’ regular updates from friends and family.

Also Read: Airtel AI System Blocks 1,88,000 Malicious Links; Protects 3.5 Million In Delhi-NCR From Online Scams