Meta-owned WhatsApp is introducing a new account restriction feature if users violate their privacy policy in order to keep the messaging platform safe from spammers.
WhatsApp is a widely used messaging app for Android that doesn’t cost anything for its billions of users. While Meta earns money from businesses advertising on WhatsApp, some people misuse the platform for scams like spear phishing. Despite users being cautious, WhatsApp is now focusing on protecting against spam with new updates.
Detecting spammers among regular users relies heavily on recognizing behavioral patterns. For example, a scam account might start new conversations more frequently than a genuine user. WhatsApp already has some protections, like easy options to block and report unknown numbers. Now, in WhatsApp version 2.24.10.5, there’s a new restriction feature.
The latest beta version on the Play Store reveals a new WhatsApp feature that limits users from starting new chats. If someone engages in bulk messaging or spam-like behavior, they may face this restriction. It’s a temporary measure, and users can still reply to messages and make calls. WhatsApp likely uses automated systems to detect misuse, rather than reading message content.
These restrictions serve as warnings and may streamline the process for reviewing account bans. They offer an opportunity for scammers to reflect and change their behavior before losing their account. This feature is still in development, and we await its full release.
