Why WhatsApp put many accounts under review for 24 hours
It remains unclear if the account reviews were part of a larger action.
A large number of WhatsApp users in India reported on Monday evening that their accounts were suddenly placed under Mandatory Account Review, temporarily preventing them from using the messaging service.
Across the country, several WhatsApp users stated that on Monday evening, their accounts were suddenly subjected to an automated review process, after which they were unable to use WhatsApp. According to users,
this restriction was imposed without any warning, and access to several key features was temporarily blocked until WhatsApp reviewed account activities under its terms of service. Many users complained on Monday evening that their accounts were placed under Mandatory Account Review. Initial reports did not receive any response from Meta, leading to uncertainty among users about the cause of the issue, how many people were affected, and when normal service would resume.
Complaints began surfacing around 8 PM. Affected users took to social media to inquire if others were facing the same issue. Many users claimed they had not engaged in any unusual activity, were using the official version of WhatsApp, and received no warning before the review began.
According to a report by The Hindu, affected users were shown a notice within the app stating that their accounts were under review. The notice from Meta mentioned that it was examining WhatsApp account activities and device-related information to ensure compliance with its terms of service. It also stated that users would typically be informed of the decision within 24 hours. Meta acknowledged the issue and said efforts were underway to resolve it.
A company spokesperson said,
"We continuously work to stay ahead of those trying to misuse our service and impose restrictions on accounts to keep other users safe. Sometimes we make mistakes, and in such cases, we strive to rectify them as soon as possible so that people can resume chatting. We have taken action to restore the affected accounts." However, the company did not clarify whether the issue was confined to a specific geographic region.
The review screen also displayed guidelines related to the responsible use of WhatsApp, including links to information about hacked or stolen accounts. Although the notice portrayed this process as a routine review, it did not explain why a particular account was selected for review. As online complaints increased, many users shared screenshots of the review page and sought help. One user on X wrote, "My WhatsApp account has been shut down without any explanation. I have already appealed, but the review page only shows a generic message that it will 'usually be reviewed within 24 hours.' I need immediate help."
For many, the timing of this restriction was particularly troublesome. In India, WhatsApp is used not only for personal conversations but also extensively for work communication, customer support, business transactions, and community groups. Even a brief suspension of accounts can disrupt the daily activities of individuals and organizations reliant on this platform.
It is currently unclear whether these reviews were triggered by a technical glitch, an automated moderation system, or some other internal process. WhatsApp has long used automated tools to identify activities that may violate its policies, such as spam, mass messaging, and other forms of service abuse. However, during automated checks, legitimate accounts can sometimes be mistakenly flagged for review. The actual scope of this issue remains unclear. It is also unknown how many users were affected, whether complaints were limited to India, or if these account reviews were part of a broader action.
This uncertainty has heightened the concerns of users who rely on WhatsApp's seamless service. According to the information displayed in the app, reviews are typically completed within a day, but many users have questioned why their accounts were selected for review, especially when they believe they have adhered to all of WhatsApp's rules.
Currently, users whose accounts are under review have few options other than to wait for WhatsApp's decision. The company states that affected accounts will be notified once the review process is complete. Until Meta provides more information on this matter, questions will remain as to why such a large number of accounts were suddenly placed under review and whether other users might face similar issues in the future.