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In August, the popular instant messaging platform WhatsApp took a stringent stance on user compliance with India's new IT Rules of 2021, leading to the banning of a staggering 7.42 million accounts in the country. This number marked an increase of approximately 2 lakh accounts compared to the previous month. Among these bans, 3,506,905 accounts were proactively barred by WhatsApp, even before any user reports were filed.

September Sees a Slight Dip in Account Bans

The following month, in September, Meta-owned WhatsApp continued its efforts to enforce the new IT Rules, banning 7.22 million accounts in India. Within this number, 3.1 lakh accounts were proactively barred. These actions are part of WhatsApp's commitment to adhering to the regulations while maintaining a secure and trustworthy platform for its users.

WhatsApp's Ongoing Commitment to User Safety

WhatsApp has been steadfast in its commitment to user safety and compliance with regulations. In its India Monthly Report for October, the company emphasized its dedication to preventing and combating abuse on the platform. It highlighted its extensive team of experts, including engineers, data scientists, analysts, and legal and safety professionals, who work tirelessly to oversee these efforts.

The Role of the Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC)

The Indian government introduced the Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) earlier in the year, providing users with a mechanism to appeal decisions made by social media platforms. Users can file complaints on the GAC portal if they are dissatisfied with the actions taken by intermediaries like Meta or Twitter. This online dispute resolution mechanism offers an avenue for addressing grievances related to content and account moderation.

WhatsApp's Upcoming Redesign for Android

In addition to its compliance efforts, WhatsApp is gearing up for a redesign of its chat interface on the Android version of its application. This redesign will involve changes to the app's color scheme, impacting its appearance in both regular and dark mode. As WhatsApp continues to evolve its platform, these updates reflect its commitment to providing a secure and user-friendly messaging experience for its vast user base in India and worldwide.