WhatsApp Bans Over 7.4 Million Indian Accounts in August
In a recent development, WhatsApp, the popular instant messaging platform, has announced that it has banned a staggering 7,420,748 accounts in India during the month of August. This move comes as part of WhatsApp’s ongoing efforts to combat abuse on its platform and ensure compliance with the IT Rules of 2021.
Significant Increase in Account Bans
This significant ban follows a previous crackdown where the company had banned approximately 6.5 million accounts in May. Out of the 7.4 million accounts banned in August, a substantial portion, 3,506,905 accounts, were taken down preemptively, even before receiving any user reports.
Prioritizing User Safety and Compliance
The decision to ban these accounts aligns with WhatsApp’s commitment to user safety and compliance with the IT Act of 2021. As per the new rules, social media platforms with over 50 lakh users are required to submit monthly user safety reports to the IT Ministry.
Addressing User Complaints
Furthermore, the company revealed that it had received 14,767 complaint reports from Indian users in August and took action on 71 of these reports. WhatsApp’s dedication to addressing user concerns and maintaining a safe online environment remains a top priority.
Grievance Appellate Committee’s Role
WhatsApp also cited an order from the Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) in India as a reason for these bans. The GAC was established by the Central Government to address content-related concerns and other issues within the country.
WhatsApp’s Role in India
With over 500 million users in India, WhatsApp continues to play a pivotal role in the country’s digital communication landscape. As it strives to create a secure and abuse-free platform, it remains vigilant in enforcing its policies and regulations, as evidenced by these recent account bans.