WhatsApp, one of the most popular instant messaging platforms, has banned over 47 lakh Indian accounts in March 2023. Out of these, 1.7 million accounts were proactively banned before receiving any reports from users. This is a significant increase from the previous month, where WhatsApp banned around 4.6 million Indian accounts in February.
According to the monthly report titled "India Monthly Report under the Information Technology," an Indian account is identified via a +91 phone number. In the report, WhatsApp mentioned that they deploy various tools and resources to prevent harmful behaviour on the platform. They focus on prevention because it is better to stop harmful activity from happening in the first place rather than detecting it after harm has occurred.
WhatsApp's abuse detection operates in three stages - registration, during messaging, and in response to negative feedback, which they receive in the form of user reports and blocks. They also respond to user complaints through the grievance channel.
WhatsApp's move to proactively ban accounts showcases its commitment to providing a safe and secure platform for its users. The platform has been under the scanner for its lack of action on harmful content and misinformation. However, it has taken steps to combat this by deploying tools and resources to prevent such behaviour.
The increase in banned accounts indicates of WhatsApp's efforts to crack down on fake accounts & spam messages. With the rise of fake news & misinformation on social media platforms, it has become essential to enable robust systems in place to ensure the safety & security of users.
In conclusion, WhatsApp's action of banning over 47 lakh Indian accounts in March can be considered as a positive move towards creating a safe & secure communication & interacting platform. While there's still a long way to go in combating harmful content & misinformation, WhatsApp's efforts to prevent such behaviour are commendable.