WhatsApp Bans 7.2 Million Accounts in November for Indian Law and Rule Violations

WhatsApp has imposed restrictions on over 71 million accounts in India in November 2023 based on user complaints and violation of Indian laws and WhatsApp’s policies. The company disclosed this information in its monthly report published in accordance with Information Technology (IT) rules of 2021. Between November 1 and 30, 2023, the company restricted access to 71,96,000 Indian user accounts, with 19,54,000 accounts being actively restricted upon user reports.

Record 8,841 Complaints Received in November 2023

In November 2023, WhatsApp received a record 8,841 complaints, including 6 against objectionable activities. The Grievance Appeal Committee (GAC) handled 8 appeals during the same period. The Government of India established the GAC to address issues raised by social media users across various platforms.

46 Million Indian Users Banned in February

In February, WhatsApp imposed restrictions on 46 million Indian user accounts, following the earlier restrictions on 71 million accounts in October 2023. The company has been taking measures to enhance user security and privacy features, including end-to-end encryption, muting unknown numbers, and locking chats.

Company’s Efforts for User Security

WhatsApp emphasizes its commitment to user security and has implemented various features, such as end-to-end encryption, muting unknown numbers, and the ability to block accounts for violating company policies and terms. Additionally, the company continues to introduce new features, with the latest being the ability to search for contacts by username.

WhatsApp’s New “Protect IP Address in Call” Feature

WhatsApp has recently rolled out the “Protect IP Address in Call” feature to enhance the security of calling on the platform. This feature, combined with end-to-end encryption, ensures a higher level of security. After activation, users’ IP addresses will not be visible to anyone during calls. This feature also blocks unauthorized access to users’ locations and prevents spying threats.

How Does It Work?

The “Protect IP Address in Call” feature works by rerouting calls through WhatsApp servers to protect users’ IP addresses. Each device connected to the internet has a unique IP address, and this feature generates special addresses in a specific format. With this address, users can access the internet anonymously, providing an additional layer of security.