New Delhi, August 4, 2023 - WhatsApp has banned over 66 lakh accounts in India in the month of June, in compliance with the new IT Rules 2021.

The company said that the accounts were banned for violating its terms of service, which include spreading misinformation, hate speech, and spam.

"We are committed to keeping our users safe and secure, and we take action against accounts that violate our terms of service," a WhatsApp spokesperson said in a statement.

The company said that it proactively banned 2,434,200 accounts in June, before any reports were received from users. The remaining accounts were banned after receiving reports from users.

WhatsApp has been under increasing scrutiny from the Indian government in recent months. In February, the government ordered the company to block the accounts of several individuals who were spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company has also been criticized for its slow response to reports of hate speech and misinformation on its platform.

The ban on over 66 lakh accounts is a significant step by WhatsApp to address the concerns of the Indian government and users. However, it remains to be seen whether the company will be able to effectively curb the spread of misinformation and hate speech on its platform.

Impact of the ban

The ban on over 66 lakh accounts is likely to have a significant impact on the use of WhatsApp in India. It is estimated that over 500 million people in India use WhatsApp. The ban is likely to disrupt the communication of these users, and it could also lead to the spread of misinformation and hate speech on other platforms.

Reactions to the ban

The ban on over 66 lakh accounts has been met with mixed reactions. Some users have welcomed the move, saying that it is necessary to curb the spread of misinformation and hate speech on WhatsApp. Others have criticized the ban, saying that it is an infringement on freedom of speech.

The future of WhatsApp in India

The ban on over 66 lakh accounts is a significant challenge for WhatsApp. The company will need to take steps to address the concerns of the Indian government and users if it wants to continue to operate in India.

It is possible that WhatsApp will need to make changes to its terms of service and its moderation policies. The company may also need to invest in new technology to detect and remove misinformation and hate speech from its platform.

The future of WhatsApp in India is uncertain. However, the company has a strong track record of innovation, and it is likely to find ways to address the challenges it faces.