WhatsApp Bans 37.16 Lakh Accounts in India Last Month: Monthly Report

Instant messaging platform WhatsApp on Wednesday stated it banned 37.16 lakh accounts in India in November, about 60 p.c greater than the accounts it barred within the previous month.

The banned WhatsApp accounts in India embrace 9.9 lakh accounts which had been barred proactively earlier than being flagged by customers.

In October, WhatsApp had banned 23.24 lakh accounts within the nation, together with 8.11 lakh accounts which had been barred proactively.

“Between November 1, 2022 and November 30, 2022, 3,716,000 WhatsApp accounts were banned. 990,000 of these accounts were proactively banned, before any reports from users. An Indian account is identified via a +91 phone number,” WhatsApp said in its India Monthly Report for November revealed beneath the Information Technology Rules 2021.

The harder IT guidelines, which got here into impact final 12 months, mandate giant digital platforms (with over 50 lakh customers) to publish compliance stories each month, mentioning the main points of complaints acquired and motion taken.

Big social media companies have drawn flak previously over hate speech, misinformation and faux information circulating on their platforms. Concerns have been flagged by some quarters repeatedly over digital platforms appearing arbitrarily in flattening content material, and ‘de-platforming’ customers.

The authorities final week introduced guidelines for establishing a grievance enchantment mechanism in opposition to arbitrary content material moderation, inaction, or takedown selections of massive tech firms.

WhatsApp acquired greater variety of appeals from person in November to ban accounts in comparison with October.

It acquired 946 complaints in November from customers, which included enchantment to ban 830 accounts. It acted solely in opposition to 73 accounts.

WhatsApp stated it responds to all grievances acquired besides in circumstances the place a grievance is deemed to be a replica of a earlier ticket.

An account is ‘actioned’ when it’s banned or a beforehand banned account is restored, on account of a criticism, the report stated.

In addition to responding to and actioning on person complaints by the grievance channel, WhatsApp deploys instruments and assets to stop dangerous behaviour on the platform, the report stated.