NEW DELHI, March 22: WhatsApp has banned nearly 10 million accounts in India during January 2025 as part of its ongoing efforts to curb spam, scams, and other forms of misuse on the platform. The Meta-owned messaging app revealed these numbers in its latest compliance report, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring security and integrity.

The bans were imposed due to repeated violations of WhatsApp's terms of service and are in line with India’s IT regulations. As a key communication platform for millions of users across India, WhatsApp has been grappling with challenges such as fraudulent activities, bulk messaging, and impersonation scams. To address these concerns, the company has strengthened its monitoring processes and adopted more proactive enforcement measures.

Out of the 9.9 million accounts banned, 1.3 million were proactively removed before any user complaints were filed. WhatsApp uses automated systems to detect suspicious activity, such as bulk messaging or abusive behavior, which often indicates potential misuse. These proactive measures are designed to prevent harmful actions before they escalate.

In addition to automated bans, WhatsApp received 9,474 user complaints in January regarding issues like spam and account misuse. Of these complaints, 239 led to account bans or corrective actions, such as responding to users via email or through WhatsApp’s India Grievance Officer.

The company’s report further explained that its abuse detection system works in three stages: at account registration, during messaging, and in response to negative feedback from users, such as reports and block actions. WhatsApp’s team of analysts also helps evaluate edge cases to enhance the platform’s effectiveness over time.

To avoid account bans, WhatsApp advises users to avoid sending bulk messages, engaging in spam, or violating the platform’s terms of service. Users are also encouraged to report spam or scam activity immediately to help maintain a safer online environment.