If you’re reading this article, chances are you, or someone you know got temporarily or permanently banned from using WhatsApp or its web version. There are quite a few things you need to keep track of to make sure you don’t get banned on WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is sensitive about the content you promote or share, and also how you interact with others through their service. If a number gets banned on WhatsApp, chances are the person using it broke WhatsApp’s Terms of Service.
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11 Things that can get your number banned on WhatsApp
Let’s talk about some things that you should avoid doing on WhatsApp. If they notice you’ve been doing any of these things, it could result in a temporary or permanent ban.
Without further ado here are 11 things that can get your number banned on WhatsApp:
1. Sending Viruses or Malware
Even though WhatsApp’s service doesn’t read your messages, it can detect viruses and malware. So, if they notice you’re spreading viruses or malware to other WhatsApp users, WhatsApp will impose a permanent ban!
2. Getting Blocked by too many people
If you’ve used WhatsApp for a while, you may have received messages from a random number at least once. What do you do when you start receiving spam from a random number? You block them of course.
In most cases, the person who is sending the spam does this with multiple people at a time. When all those people block the sender, WhatsApp sees this as suspicious activity. This could result in a temporary or even a permanent ban from WhatsApp, depending on the situation.
3. Getting reported on WhatsApp
If someone reports you on WhatsApp and WhatsApp sees the report is valid, they might impose a ban. A report is valid if the reported person is violating WhatsApp’s terms of service. If you want to know more about what you can and can’t do, check out the “Acceptable use of our services” heading in WhatsApp’s Terms of Service.
In this case, the ban could be temporary or permanent, depending on what rule you broke.
4. Sending Unwanted Automated Messages & Bulk Messages
If you send unwanted Bulk or automated messages, you could face a ban from WhatsApp. WhatsApp has gotten pretty smart over the years. It can use machine learning and reports from users to determine if an account is sending unwanted messages. I would assume, if you’ve only done this once, you will get temporarily banned from WhatsApp.
5. Over-use of the broadcast feature
Even though only people who have your contact saved will receive your broadcast messages, if those people get annoyed with how often you send broadcasts, they might end up reporting you! So, stay clear of that.
It will probably be a temporary ban in this case.
6. Modifying WhatsApp’s code
WhatsApp states in their Terms of Service, and I quote:
“You must not directly or through automated means reverse engineer, alter, modify, create derivative works from, decompile, or extract code from our services”
This makes it quite clear if you mess with WhatsApp’s code, and they realize it, you will get banned from using their services. Probably permanently.
7. Trying to Hack into WhatsApp’s Servers
This is pretty obvious. If you try to hack into WhatsApp’s servers, to access information about other users, or even WhatsApp themselves, you will get banned from their services.
In WhatsApp’s terms of service, they state:
“You must not directly or through automated means gain or attempt to gain unauthorized access to our Services or systems”
They also state:
“You must not directly or through automated means collect the information of or about our users in any impermissible or unauthorized manner”
This makes it very clear that WhatsApp doesn’t want you snooping in their servers, and they will take action if they find you attempting to hack into their servers.
8. Using Third-Party WhatsApp Clients
Using third-party WhatsApp clients could result in a temporary ban from WhatsApp. Doing so goes against WhatsApp’s Terms of Service. They don’t support third-party clients because they can’t validate their security practices. Here are some popular third-party WhatsApp clients:
- WhatsApp Plus
- GBWhatsApp
- YOWhatsApp
- FMWhatsApp
- WhatsApp Aero
- OGWhatsApp
- WhatsApp Prime
- WhatsApp MA
Using third-party WhatsApp clients will temporarily ban your number. If you don’t switch over to the Official app, you may get permanently banned.
9. Impersonating Someone on WhatsApp
WhatsApp states in their Terms of Service:
“You will not use (or assist others in using) our Services in ways that impersonate someone.”
This makes it very clear that you aren’t allowed to act like someone you aren’t, on WhatsApp, and doing so could result in a ban.
10. Harassment & Promoting of Violent Crimes
WhatsApp likes to keep its platform positive. They crackdown on people who promote negativity. In WhatsApp’s Terms of service, they state:
“You will not use (or assist others in using) our Services in ways that are illegal, obscene, defamatory, threatening, intimidating, harassing, hateful, racially, or ethnically offensive, or instigate or encourage conduct that would be illegal, or otherwise inappropriate, including promoting violent crimes”
So, basically, if you’re promoting hate or illegal activities, you will get banned from WhatsApp.
11. Publishing Falsehoods
WhatsApp doesn’t want you using their service to spread false information. So, if you’re spreading false information on WhatsApp, and someone reports you. WhatsApp will impose a ban. WhatsApp states in their Terms of Service:
” You will not use (or assist others in using) our Services in ways that involve publishing falsehoods, misrepresentations, or misleading statements”
Are There any Apps or Mods That Prevent You from Getting Banned?
Well, Yes. Some of the third-party WhatsApp clients (such as GBWhatsApp & WhatsApp Plus) claim that their software is anti-ban. Meaning if you use it, you won’t get banned from WhatsApp.
But the real question is, “Does Anti-Ban Even Work?”.
Well, Yes, but actually no. There’s no actual way to tell if it works. Some users have reported that the anti-ban feature does in fact work. Others say it doesn’t work. So, I can’t recommend that you go out (not literally, chill!) and try these third-party WhatsApp clients. Security issues aside, you may lose your WhatsApp account!
Temporary Ban Vs. Permanent Ban
A temporary ban by WhatsApp is exactly what it sounds like. Temporary bans get lifted after a set amount of time. These types of bans are imposed as warnings, such that users are more cautious of their actions.
A permanent ban by WhatsApp occurs after you’ve received multiple temporary bans, but you continue to break the Terms of Service. Permanent bans also occur if you are:
- Spreading hate or false information
- Impersonating someone
- Harassing someone
- Promoting illegal activity
- Trying to hack into WhatsApp
- Trying to modify WhatsApp’s code
In this case, chances are you won’t get your WhatsApp account back. You could appeal against the ban, but that only works if the allegations are proven false.
How long does a temporary Ban last?
If you receive a temporary ban from WhatsApp, you’ll also receive a specific time period for the ban. Temporary bans can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Once, you wait it out. Make sure you don’t violate the Terms of Service again. Doing so a second time could possibly give you a permanent ban.
How to appeal against a permanent ban?
WhatsApp states on their website:
“If you think your account was banned by mistake, please email us and we’ll look into your case.”
To appeal against a ban, you have to send them an email, proving how the allegations aren’t true. If the allegations are true, you could try apologizing to them, and while you’re at it, try making excuses as to why the mistake happened in the first place.
To contact WhatsApp, use these email addresses:
- For Android – [email protected]
- For iOS – [email protected]
Conclusion:
You should go through WhatsApp’s Terms of Service if you haven’t already. Read the “Acceptable use of our services” heading in detail to avoid violating WhatsApp’s terms of service.
I hope this article helped you understand why you (or someone you know) got banned from WhatsApp’s services. If you have any questions or comments, leave them in the comment section below.