Follow Us
Join UsWhatsApp is currently experimenting with a novel security feature designed to combat suspicious activities and fraudulent accounts. If a user account is flagged for engaging in questionable behavior, it will be temporarily restricted from sending new messages.
In 2023, WhatsApp took action against seven crore accounts on its Indian platform for violating its policies. With the Lok Sabha 2024 elections underway, the Meta-owned company is intensifying its efforts to curb fraud and illegal telemarketing on WhatsApp, in accordance with the IT (Information Technology) Rules 2021.
The latest WhatsApp Android beta v2.24.10.5 version introduces a feature called ‘Account Restriction.’ This empowers regular WhatsApp users to report accounts that indulge in abusive language, spamming with bulk messages, or promoting the installation of illegal apps. Once an account is flagged for such activities, it will be temporarily barred from sending new messages. However, it will still be able to receive messages and calls. This feature is crucial for safeguarding user privacy and combating spam messages from telemarketing agencies and fraudulent accounts.
The ‘Account Restriction’ feature is presently in the testing phase, and WhatsApp is expected to take some time to collect feedback from public testers and address any bugs before rolling it out to the wider public.
In another development, WhatsApp has introduced new features for WhatsApp Communities. Members of these Communities can now create events within their groups and respond to admin announcements.
Since its launch in 2022, the Communities feature has gained global popularity, including in India. It allows neighborhoods, school parent groups, organizations, and workplaces to bring multiple groups together under one umbrella for organized group conversations on WhatsApp.
