WhatsApp blocks 2 million Indian users over messaging violations
July 16, 2021: WhatsApp blocked more than 2 million users in India in just one month for violating its rules.
The US company revealed in its first compliance report under India’s controversial new social media rules. Most users were blocked for misusing spam messages. The Facebook-owned company has set a limit on mass forward messaging to combat misunderstandings. India enacted new rules in May to regulate social media companies, forcing police to disclose their efforts on their platforms every month.
In its report released on Thursday night, WhatsApp said, “We maintain high capabilities to identify accounts that send high or abnormal rates of messages and banned 2 million accounts in India from May 15 to June 15 alone. ”
The company says its “top focus” is on preventing the spread of harmful and unwanted messages. WhatsApp has over 400 million users in India, which is one of its top markets, but often finds itself criticized for spreading misinformation.
Dozens of people were deported to India in 2018 following rumors circulating on WhatsApp about child abduction gangs. These events signaled the introduction of bulk forward messaging to the messaging app in India.
WhatsApp and some Indian media firms have tried to challenge the new social media rules in court. Critics say the government is trying to stifle dissent, but the government says it is trying to make social media safer.
Under the rules, social media platforms have to share details of the “first originator” of posts deemed to undermine India’s sovereignty, state security or public order.
WhatsApp says the rules violate India’s privacy laws.
Stay tuned to BaaghiTV for latest news and Updates!
WhatsApp to let users message without their phones
