WhatsApp is banning accounts that send a high volume of messages. “We’re able to detect and ban many accounts before they register a” preventing them from sending a single message. Roughly 20% of account bans happened at registration time," the company informed. WhatsApp which has over 200 million users in India aims to understand the behavioural cues indicating bulk registrations. “For example, our systems can detect if a similar phone number has been recently abused or if the computer network used for registration has been associated with suspicious behaviour,” it added. As part of establishing its operations in India, WhatsApp said it had identified a Grievance Officer who can be contacted directly if a user has a concern about their WhatsApp experience and is unable to report it through other channels. WhatsApp said it facilitated training for political parties in states that went into elections in 2018. “We will expand this effort and work with the Election Commission of India in the lead up to the national election this year, said WhatsApp. WhatsApp recently hired Abhijit Bose to lead India operations who will grow a local team that can further develop relationships with civil society and respond to the government on a timely basis. “This team will include local legal, policy and business teams that can work with our Indian partners on common goals, such as increasing financial inclusion and digital literacy across India,” it added.
