Being booted off of instant messaging service WhatsApp is probably the kind of situation you’d ideally like to avoid.
WhatsApp has exploded in popularity in recent years with over 1 billion people using the service, resulting in it becoming the communications lifeline for many of us.
But few people realise that the service also has relatively strict terms and conditions that can, and do, result in some users being banned.
So, if you ever see a message on your phone saying that “you’re temporarily banned from WhatsApp”, it could be for these following reasons that WhatsApp has outlined in its FAQ.
- “Sending too many messages to users who do not have your number saved in their address books. Make sure that you ask all of your WhatsApp contacts to add your current number to their address books.”
- “Being blocked by too many people in a short period of time. Make sure you only communicate with people who want to receive messages from you.”
- “Creating too many groups that contain users who do not list you in their address books. Make sure that you ask all of your WhatsApp contacts to add your current number to their address books.”
- “Sending the same message to too many people. Use Broadcast Lists to send the same message to your contacts.”
- “Violating our Terms of Service.”
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WhatsApp further says that “during the temporary ban, you will not be able to access any part of your WhatsApp account”.
“You will be able to use your account again after the countdown timer runs out,” says the instant messaging service.
Full ban
Meanwhile, WhatsApp can also fully ban your account for contravening the service’s terms and conditions.
“We may not issue a warning before banning your account,” says WhatsApp in its FAQ section.
“72 hours after your account has been banned, your friends will no longer be able to see you in their Favorites list (Contacts tab on Android),” says WhatsApp.
WhatsApp also says that if you think your account was banned by mistake, you can email the service and they will “look into your case”.
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