Are you concerned about the new WhatsApp Policies? If so, this post is for you. Please read the entire article to know what policies the social media platform has updated, and what would happen if you violate one of them.
Over 1.5 billion people worldwide chat via WhatsApp. Every day, users exchange billions of messages with one another. It is not unlikely that this will include insults. Many fake messages are also spread via the social chat app.
What many users do not know: Anyone who sends such messages or insults other users is violating WhatsApp guidelines. The consequence: In the worst case, WhatsApp will block the phone number.
New Whatsapp Polices to Abide By
To avoid an account suspension or your phone number being blacklisted, you are recommended to abide by the following new WhatsApp policies:
1. Insulting, Threatening Others
WhatsApp prohibits its users from insulting, threatening, harassing, or making racist or “ethnically objectionable” statements against other users.
2. Calling on Users to Violence
Users are also not allowed to encourage or incite illegal or “otherwise inappropriate” behavior. This also includes the glorification of violent crimes.
3. Spreading Fake News
Anyone who spreads “untruths, misrepresentations or misleading statements” could also be banned.
4. Sending Spam Messages
WhatsApp users are not allowed to distribute “messages like bulk messages”. “Auto-messaging” or “auto-dialing” are also prohibited. This means messages or calls that are written in advance and sent at a specified time, as for example advertising companies do. Exception: WhatsApp has approved the process.
5. Impersonating Someone Else
Unlike Facebook, WhatsApp does not force users to use real names. So you can use a nickname. But it is forbidden to assume the identity of another person and to spread nonsense or joke on their behalf.
6. Spreading Malware via WhatsApp
The messenger can also be used to send documents and files from the computer. This, of course, carries the risk of bad guys launching a virus. But something like that will be punished immediately.
7. Hacking WhatsApp or Manipulating the Code
WhatsApp users should feel safe. That is why the service offers end-to-end encryption. Anyone who tampers with the code and tries to hack the app will be kicked out.
8. Spy on other users
WhatsApp means that one should not “collect information from our (users) or about our users in any inadmissible or unauthorized manner”.
9. Changing Phone Number Too Often
If you use two SIM cards on your smartphone, you have to choose a phone number on WhatsApp. Because those who constantly change the number can be “excluded from the verification process at some point”.
Related: WhatsApp Testing Data Migration Between iOS and Android
How to Report Users?
Of course, an account lock only threatens if WhatsApp is also aware of the rule violation. Users have the option to report accounts.
Follow these simple steps:
- When chatting with a user, click the three dots at the top right of the screen.
- Select ” More ” and click ” Report “.
- In the next window, you have to confirm that you want to report the user.