WhatsApp has been continuously taking strict actions against the misuse and has recently reported removing more than eight million Indians’ accounts in one month as per its latest monthly report. It is relevant to note that the messaging application has over 50 crore active users in India and recently has been very aggressive in containing spam, fake news, as well as unlawful content. However, it has recently demonstrated its willingness to embrace the measures by going through such a mass ban in one of the biggest markets it operates.

Highlights:

• WhatsApp banned 8 million Indian accounts in June 2023.
• The bans were primarily for violating terms of service.
• Over 70% of accounts were flagged using AI-driven tools.
• Grievance redressal received 2,456 appeals from users.
• The platform aims to enhance user safety and curb misinformation.

The bans were initiated by WhatsApp that has strict policies applied for services accounts involved in sending fake news, spams, and participating in illicit activities. This is because the company speaks of sophisticated analytics in account identification and the prevention of such accounts is tightly connected with Artificial Intelligence tools. Thus, the greatest quantity of offending content is kept to a minimum while preserving the site’s reliability and users’ confidence.

Some of the accounts were disabled through automation tools that examine users’ activity and the content they produce. These tools help WhatsApp in this process to consider and eliminate people who started a violation of the rights of users. There is also an option to make a report on the account to contribute to its proactivity in removing fake accounts. Similarly, the use of technology together with involving the user in the process enhances its stand against misuse.

Although the bans were affected, WhatsApp received 2456 appeal requests from users who wished to regain their accounts. The company also reviewed these appeals and granted accounts where it was deemed necessary to do so. What makes the grievance redressal mechanism elaborate is that it does not compromise on justice while at the same time keeping strict. In maintaining the safety and reliability for each of its users in India, WhatsApp is able to do more than meet the needs of the application and its users while conforming to the policy.