WhatsApp bans do happen. Here are some of the things that can result in you being blocked from the service.
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WhatsApp provides free communication services to its users, but also keeps tabs to ban those performing unacceptable activities.
The app has safety policies that every user must follow. If you go against the policies, you might get banned on WhatsApp.
But what things must be avoided? Let’s discuss the most common actions that can get you banned on WhatsApp.
1. Using an Unofficial Version of the App
Unofficial WhatsApp versions are created by third-party developers, and people use them to increase their privacy and send large files.
GB WhatsApp, WhatsApp Plus, WhatsApp Go, WhatsApp Prime, and OG WhatsApp are some popular unofficial WhatsApp versions.
Unfortunately, unofficial WhatsApp apps come with greater security risks. There is an increased possibility of getting hacked via ads and links. Moreover, your phone might get exposed to different viruses and malware.
WhatsApp focuses on end-to-end encryption, ensuring that chats between people are restricted within that circle. Unofficial versions do not offer end-to-end encryption, meaning your conversations can be accessed.
Since unofficial apps do not follow the WhatsApp Terms of Service, your account might get banned if you use such apps. Only use the official and verified version available at the Google Play Store and App Store.
2. Sending Threatening and Illegal Content
Person using phone
Social media apps are pretty transparent regarding the type of content you can send and share with people. WhatsApp is also on board with these rules. There are certain limitations to what you can share with others on the app.
If you share illegal content on WhatsApp, threaten people, or give defamatory comments related to race, religion, age, or gender, you can lose access to your account.
The app has provided tips for staying safe while using WhatsApp. If you send threatening or illegal content to a person or group, your account can be temporarily banned and sent for review.
If the WhatsApp team is unsatisfied, it can permanently ban you from using the app and even provide certain information to Law Enforcement Authorities, depending on the severity of your misconduct.
3. Getting Reported Consistently
Sending spam, hate content, or connecting with unknowns without any reason might frustrate other users. Apart from blocking, users can also report your WhatsApp account.
When someone reports an account, WhatsApp gets access to the last five messages and the contact details for review. This confirms whether the account violated any policies or not.
If multiple reports reveal similar violations, your WhatsApp account might get banned. Users can request a review using the app or email to plead against the decision, but there’s a high chance you might not be able to recover your account.
4. Using WhatsApp for Hacking Attempts
Person attempting to hack
Initially, hackers used phishing techniques to access other accounts illegally. These hacking attempts affect many users, but now, most people are aware of and do not fall for such traps.
WhatsApp has introduced features like end-to-end encryption and two-step verification to secure accounts. Also, the Report feature enables WhatsApp to review and deeply analyze the accounts that breach their security and privacy policies.
However, malware through the web and third-party links are some ways people create a security threat for WhatsApp users, making people worry about safety threats on WhatsApp.
Other than this, some hackers also use WhatsApp to access users’ other accounts linked to Meta. But it’s clear that if you interfere with someone's privacy or try to hack their account, WhatsApp will take no time to ban you.
5. Sending Spam
Stressed Woman
When a user sends the same message to several contacts for advertising, it is called spam. It might be free publicity for you, but users can get irritated and offended by this activity.
Forwarding spam messages is why WhatsApp restricted its Forward Message feature to just five people at a time. WhatsApp recommends its users connect with people in a way that does not bother them.
Use the WhatsApp Status feature to upload information that you want all your contacts to see. You can also create a WhatsApp Community or a group instead of sending spam messages to several contacts.
Identify a spam message before contacting the sender or forwarding it to other users. You can also use fact-checking websites to avoid spreading false news without verification. Also, keep your broadcast messages reserved for important events like wedding invitations, death notices, or holidays.
Most people send spam without knowing its outcome, but it doesn't stop WhatsApp from putting you under its radar. You might get a temporary ban for a couple of hours, days, or weeks followed by a permanent ban if such activities continue.
6. Automating Your WhatsApp Activity
There is no limit to how much WhatsApp you can use daily. Apart from personal conversations, users can use WhatsApp for their business, establish a brand and make unlimited calls on the app.
You can schedule and automate responses to manage your schedule in a much more organized manner. However, misusing this feature and sending multiple automated messages, spam, or dangerous links is considered a violation by WhatsApp.
WhatsApp takes a comprehensive approach against accounts that automate their activity. Using advanced technology, it is easy to detect and review the WhatsApp accounts of such users and ban them if necessary.
This does not mean you are restricted in terms of app usage. There are no consequences as long as the communication seems natural.
Use WhatsApp for Safe and Effective Communication
WhatsApp offers users an ad-free experience for personal and business use. However, the app has some guidelines to ensure the safety of the users.
Any WhatsApp account that violates the app’s policy is reviewed by the team. You might get temporarily or permanently banned from using the app based on the activities you performed.
Hacking attempts, sharing inappropriate content, sending spam, or abusing other people’s privacy are the main reasons to get banned from using WhatsApp. Hence, try to avoid these actions and have a great experience on the app.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BARNIE PRINCE
• Staff Writer For Social Media
(109 Articles Published)
Barnie is a content specialist who loves writing about social media on MakeUseOf.com. He has been using several social media platforms since 2009 and adding value to the world of web since 2018. Technology is what intrigues BARNIE the most and has led him to write for many tech websites. Barnie also owns a tech blog named WornByFit.com, and through his writing skills, shows his passion to the world.
5 Ways to Recognize WhatsApp Spam (And What to Do About It)
BY
BARNIE PRINCE
UPDATED Jun 09, 2022
WhatsApp spam is becoming an issue. Here's how to spot WhatsApp dangers and what you can do to stay safe and secure.
WhatsApp logo on a mobile phone
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Given the service's two billion active users, it's perhaps no surprise that WhatsApp spam is a common issue. Whether it's a scam, a phishing attempt, or just plain old marketing drivel from companies, you need to know how to spot WhatsApp dangers, so you can: a) block the sender; and b) make sure you're not putting your security at risk.
So what does WhatsApp spam look like? What can you do about it? And how do you block a contact on WhatsApp?
How to Recognize WhatsApp Spam
Here are our top ways to spot WhatsApp spam, along with some advice on what steps you should take if you receive such a message.
1. Frequently-Forwarded Messages
Most WhatsApp users will be aware that the app lets you forward messages received from one person directly to another recipient (for those who didn't know, long-press a message and tap the forward option on the pop-up menu that appears).
However, users might be less aware that WhatsApp has a separate indicator for frequently-forwarded messages. When a message has been forwarded five times, you'll see a double arrow icon rather than the single arrow that denotes a typical forwarded message.
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You'll also see a small warning on the message box itself, letting you know that the message has been "forwarded many times."
The distinction is important: if a message has been forwarded more than five times, it's almost always going to be a form of spam—whether that's yet another boring meme that's doing the rounds, fake news, or something more sinister.
2. Unrecognized Numbers
WhatsApp lets you send a message to anyone whose phone number you have. That means that the senders of spam can scrape the web for contact details, buy lists of active numbers from the dark web, and even hack other services that have your phone number on file, then send you an unsolicited message.
It's highly unlikely you'll ever have such a sender in your address book, which means that when it lands in your WhatsApp inbox, it will always show as an unrecognized number.
Sure, you'll occasionally get a random WhatsApp message from an unrecognized number that turns out to be a buddy who's changed numbers, but most of the time, they will be spam.
Although it is not a foolproof approach, one way to discourage some people from sending you unsolicited messages is to hide your WhatsApp status. The sender will not be able to determine whether your account is even active.
3. Scams and Suspicious Links
A huge part of WhatsApp spam has a single purpose—to try and make you open a link in the message. Click on the link at your peril; it's going to try and illicit your personal details, banking details, login credentials, or any other form of data that has value on the dark web.
Many famous WhatsApp scams of the last few years have used this form of spam, notably:
WhatsApp Gold: A supposedly premium version of WhatsApp was spammed to millions of users throughout 2016. Clicking on the link and sending a payment would apparently get you access to a fancier version of WhatsApp that celebrities were using. Countless people fell for it.
WhatsApp Expiration: Another classic WhatsApp scam. You'll see a message claiming that your WhatsApp account has expired and you need to pay to reactivate it. Remember, WhatsApp never charges to download the app and will not levy any new charges on your account once you're up and running.
Shopping Vouchers: One of the most common WhatsApp scams, you'll get a message offering $250 of high street shopping vouchers if you complete a survey. In practice, the only thing you'll receive in exchange for your efforts is a stolen identity.
4. Login/Verification Requests
You cannot use WhatsApp for Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on any app or service that we're aware of. Of course, you absolutely should set up 2FA on all your accounts; it's one of the best ways to make sure they're secure even if someone has managed to get hold of your login credentials—but those 2FA messages will never arrive on WhatsApp.
Ideally, you should use dedicated 2FA apps/hardware like Google Authenticator or YubiKey, but at the very least they'll arrive via a direct SMS. If you receive such a message on WhatsApp, and you've not tried to log in anywhere recently, don't worry. It doesn't mean someone is trying to hack your account. The message is spam, and you can safely ignore and block it.
5. Specific Wording
Spam often uses the same generic tactics to try and dupe you. According to WhatsApp's own literature, there are five common types of wording in messages that you need to be aware of:
Misspellings or grammatical mistakes.
Asking you to tap on a link or activate new features through a link.
Asking you to share your personal information, such as credit card or bank account numbers, birth date, passwords.
Asking you to forward a message.
Claiming that you have to pay to use WhatsApp.
If you receive a message that matches one of the criteria, you should delete it immediately.
How to Manage and Reduce WhatsApp Spam
Once you've identified a WhatsApp message as spam, what are the next steps you need to follow?
1. How to Report a Number on WhatsApp
WhatsApp Business lets companies interact with their customers through the WhatsApp interface. It is a violation of WhatsApp's terms to use the WhatsApp Business tool for bulk messaging and unsolicited contact.
Since the start of 2020, WhatsApp has appeared to take transgressions of the rule very seriously:
Our products are not intended for bulk or automated messaging, both of which have always been a violation of our Terms of Service. Beginning on December 7, 2019, WhatsApp will take legal action against those we determine are engaged in or assisting others in abuse that violates our Terms of Service, such as automated or bulk messaging [...] even if that determination is based on information solely available to us off our platform.
If you receive an unsolicited message from a business account, you should file a WhatsApp report immediately. You report a spam number by opening the chat, going to the business' profile, and scrolling down to tap Report Business. Finally, tap Report on the pop-up window.
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screenshot of business page info on whatsapp mobile
report window on whatsapp mobile
business report sent notification on whatsapp mobile
But what happens when you report someone or a business on WhatsApp? Unfortunately, we don't really know. Encryption means WhatsApp cannot see the contents of the message, but they will be able to see a log of your interactions and other associated data.
WhatsApp only says it will "launch an investigation." If the sender is found to be in breach of the Terms of Service, their account could be suspended or banned.
Remember, blocking numbers is just one way you can make your WhatsApp account more secure.
2. How to Block Someone on WhatsApp
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block prompt on whatapp mobile
chat showing contact blocked on whatsapp mobile
One of the old adages of creating an enjoyable Twitter experience is blocking early and often. The same philosophy applies to WhatsApp spam messages. Don't sit there getting frustrated as an endless stream of cat facts lands in your inbox; just block the account at the first sign of trouble.
You can block WhatsApp accounts by going to the contact's profile, scrolling down, and tapping Block [name]. Finally, tap Block on the pop-up window. That's it. The blocked contact will no longer be able to contact you on WhatsApp.
3. Restrict Who Can Add You to Groups
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whatsapp restrict groups (1)
Group spam is a real issue. Whether it's an over-eager friend who's got your number or a scammer on the other side of the world, you'll often find yourself added to groups that you do not want to be a part of.
In 2019, WhatsApp added a new privacy feature that lets you choose who can add you to new groups. Three options are available: Everyone, My Contacts, and My Contacts Except. To set it up, go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Groups.
Stay Safe When Using WhatsApp
With end-to-end encryption, several contact management settings, and a robust set of privacy options, WhatsApp is still a safe way to chat. But ultimately, your account is only as safe as the user. By following some basic security tips, you can ensure your account stays safe at all times.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BARNIE PRINCE • Partnerships Director
(1559 Articles Published)
Dan joined MakeUse Of in 2014 and has been Partnerships Director since July 2020. Reach out to him for inquires about sponsored content, affiliate agreements, promotions, and any other forms of partnership. You can also find him roaming the show floor at CES in Las Vegas every year; say hi if you're going. Prior to his writing career, he was a Financial Consultant.
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WhatsApp is the most popular instant messenger available as of now. It is easy to use and features a ton of options for individuals and businesses. When it comes to security and privacy, though, WhatsApp has been under fire for various reasons.
If WhatsApp can introduce some essential privacy-focused features, it can also take the crown for being one of the most secure messaging services.
This article will mention some of the features that WhatsApp can add to its arsenal to turn itself into a superior messaging app.
Why Do We Need More Features in WhatsApp?
One would argue that WhatsApp already offers all the essential privacy-centric features; why do we need more? The presence of end-to-end encryption, privacy controls, and the upcoming encrypted chat backup feature should be enough for most.
However, considering the user base of WhatsApp (in billions) and the amount of data involved, it can use more privacy-focused features.
In some cases, users even rely on WhatsApp to receive payments or banking services. So, the scope of its usage and risk associated is more than ever.
Top Features That WhatsApp Should Consider Adding
It is worth noting that the points mentioned are a combination of existing features in WhatsApp alternatives like Telegram, Signal, and Threema. A few of these points are our own suggestions.
1. No Phone Number Required for Registration
hide phone number
Most of the messaging services require you to register using your phone number. While we do not mind giving it away to access an essential messaging service, it is an important piece of information associated with your messaging activity.
Hence, if you do not have to share your phone number to use WhatsApp, it would be a top-notch privacy feature to have.
If you trust the messaging service with your phone number, that is your personal preference. But, what if you could use a messaging service without needing your phone number? In fact, a few messaging services have already demonstrated this feature. Secure messaging services like Threema and Session are two privacy-focused options that let you do this.
It is certainly not an easy implementation. However, with the kind of resources WhatsApp has at its disposal, it should not be a big feat to achieve.
2. Self-Destructing Messages
self destructing messages
WhatsApp is experimenting with some form of messages that can be seen once and destroyed. However, you cannot send messages that self-destruct after a certain time in a conversation/group.
This feature is incredibly useful if you want to share sensitive information and do not want the messages in the conversation later. Messaging apps like Signal allow you to enable self-destruct messages for the entire group, which should also come in handy if present in WhatsApp.
In either case, it should also let you auto-clean chats, if you prefer that, from time to time, using an appropriate timer.
Considering many secure messaging services offer this feature, WhatsApp can use the addition as well.
3. Hide Profile Photo From Individual Contacts
Currently, you can choose to hide your profile picture from all your contacts or anyone who uses WhatsApp. However, you do not have the ability to hide your profile picture from a specific individual.
RELATED:
Security Threats WhatsApp Users Need To Know
A feature that would let you do that would mean a greater level of privacy control. And, indeed, a convenient one that does not require you to entirely hide your profile picture just to keep it private from a particular user.
4. Note to Self
note to self
Sometimes, you want to copy a piece of text or a link to share with your friends later, but where do you keep it before sharing it?
You can choose to store it in your notes app or bookmark the links, but is it practical to do it every time you want to keep something as a draft? Moreover, when you do that, you end up relying on another service to keep your data private, which can be inconvenient.
So, a feature that can help send messages/links to yourself in the messaging app to store as notes should come in handy. You can choose to use it as your personal notes or use the space to store drafts before forwarding messages to someone.
5. Removing Image Metadata
Almost everyone shares photos using WhatsApp. However, when sharing a photo, your metadata remains along with the photo.
Information such as location, camera sensor, and more remain intact. But, if WhatsApp could cut off the metadata when you upload it, that could be a massive benefit for privacy-conscious users.
For instance, you get this feature when you share a photo through the gallery app on a Xiaomi device. We cannot be sure if it is technically feasible for WhatsApp, but it would be a nice feature to have.
RELATED:
How To View, Edit, And Add Metadata To Images
6. Blur Faces Before Sharing Images
With the Signal app, you can hide/blur a person’s face before sharing the image with someone. This should be incredibly useful when you do not want to reveal a person’s identity or want a stranger's face to appear in your photo. In either case, it can be useful to hide important details in your images as well.
As mentioned previously, images already contain many precious data points. So, the less we give away, the better for privacy.
7. Send Without Notification Sound
Considering most of your contacts are on WhatsApp, it is often overwhelming to get notification sounds. So, if you want to avoid disturbing the recipient, you can choose to send a message without the sound, similar to a feature found in Telegram.
This can also enable you to send messages to someone privately without them needing to enable the silent mode in their phone.
8. Chat Request
To improve security and prevent users from getting fooled, if a user is not in your contact list, they should not be able to send you any messages. While WhatsApp already disables URLs sent by unknown users, the text message gets through with any images included.
So, it is better to have a chat request feature where a sender needs to request permission before sending anything through.
There's Room for Improvement for WhatsApp
For most users, WhatsApp offers a good combination of usability and privacy-focused features. However, it is not the ultimate solution to take control of your privacy. To outshine other secure messengers, WhatsApp would need to add these features at the very least.
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