WhatsApp, the popular messaging app owned by Meta, banned a record 71 lakh bad accounts in India in September 2023. This is the highest number of accounts banned by WhatsApp in a month in India. The bannings were carried out in compliance with the new IT Rules 2021, which require social media platforms to take stricter measures to combat abuse and harmful content.

• WhatsApp banned a record 71 lakh bad accounts in India in September 2023.
• About 25.7 lakh of these accounts were proactively banned, before any reports from users.
• WhatsApp received over 10,000 user reports in September, with 85 accounts being actioned based on these reports.

WhatsApp said that it has been taking several steps to combat abuse and harmful content on its platform. The steps entail utilizing machine learning to detect illicit material and collaborating with law enforcement authorities to investigate and convict criminals.
The company went further and stated that its systems support incident reporting. They can go ahead and hold on to a message that they would like to report, thereafter tap “Report”.
WhatsApp's efforts to combat abuse and harmful content have been welcomed by many users and experts. Other critics, however, hold that this should be insufficient since they think that the company must play a greater role in guarding their clients’ security of life and property.
In addition to the bannings in September, WhatsApp also received six orders from the Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) in India in the same month. A government action committee comprising three experts was recently established by the Indian government to review complaints of users and social media platforms.

WhatsApp said that it complied with all of the orders from the GAC. The company further stated it will work together with the Indian Government to ensure secure, as well as pleasant conditions for its consumers.