WhatsApp bans over 45 Lakh Indian Accounts in February

Messaging service WhatsApp has banned more than 45 lakh accounts in India in February. WhatsApp had banned 29 lakh accounts in January. In February, more than 12 lakh WhatsApp accounts were banned before any report was received from users.

In the monthly report released by Meta-owned WhatsApp, it has been said that 45,97,400 WhatsApp accounts have been banned in February. A WhatsApp spokesperson said, “The User Safety Report contains information about the complaints received from users and the action taken on them, as well as the steps taken by WhatsApp to deal with harassment on its platform. We respond to all complaints except those that are considered similar.” Under stringent IT rules implemented last year, large digital platforms with more than 50 lakh users have to publish compliance reports every month. In this report, these platforms have to give information about the complaints received and the action taken on them.

Social media firms have faced backlash over hate speech, misinformation and fake news on their platforms. Such apprehensions were raised that these platforms are unilaterally removing content and also banning many users. The Central Government had started the system of Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC). In this, users can register their complaints against the decisions of social media firms on a portal.

The problem of unwanted or spam calls on WhatsApp may be resolved soon. A feature can be introduced in this app which is used worldwide, through which such calls can be silenced. This messaging service is based on phone numbers and allows a person to call another registered user even if he or she is not saved as a contact in his or her address book. WABetaInfo, which tracks new features on WhatsApp, had reported that the new beta version of WhatsApp includes code for a feature that will allow users to silence calls from unknown numbers. However, the new feature is not finalized and is being developed.