Today there are many scams associated with WhatsApp, such as the classic WhatsApp Gold which prompts you to download an “updated app” as Phishingor the Martinelli hoax video which, once opened, hacks your phone in moments.
This is how the National Police revealed it some time ago in this tweet, warning of the danger of this series of hoaxes or news false on social networks and messaging programs such as WhatsApp, where its spread is unstoppable.
once again you pass it on to us #bulo which continues to circulate #WhatsApp📱 warning about the “martinelli video”
Don’t share! 🗑
👉🏻#Stopbulos pic.twitter.com/mRPXkXHbFT— National Police (@police)
September 19, 2017
Although the average citizen is unlikely to deliberately commit such actions, we all run the risk of sharing infected links with malware or propagate information hoaxes.
In this sense, you should know that there are many reasons why WhatsApp can block your account temporarily or permanently, as indicated in the ‘Terms of use’ the company. Knowing them will save us from occasional disappointments or the fact that they can ban our account.
Rules not to break with WhatsApp
The following rules apply to both general questions and specific behavior in private and group chats, which is where doubts about the proper use of the platform really arise.
- Frequent change of phone number: A WhatsApp account is always verified through a phone number. Changing your phone number too often can cause problems with the Verification processwhich may result in the suspension of your account.
- Spy on other users: You must not obtain information about or other users in an unauthorized manner.
- Fake ID: While it’s not required to use your real name on WhatsApp, you can’t pretend to be someone else. However, this does not prevent you from using nicknames and abbreviations.
- Distribution of malicious code: Anyone who sends files through WhatsApp that contain viruses or malicious code in any form will be banned from using the app.
- Spamming: In addition to “bulk messages”, automated messages (automatic messaging or automatic dialing) are also prohibited. You cannot save messages and automatically send them at a later date unless you have WhatsApp’s explicit permission to do so.
- Tampering or Hacking the App: Anyone trying to hack the app or tamper with its code will be banned immediately.
- Spreading fake news: It’s best to keep the latest gossip to yourself, even if you only say it sarcastically. Users who (obviously) spread false information are violating WhatsApp’s terms of service. This also applies to antisemitic content.
- Insulting other users: Like other messaging programs or social networks, WhatsApp requires good behavior. Insulting other users may result in your account being suspended.
- Calls for violence and threats: Inciting violence (which is illegal anyway) or verbally insulting other users is even more extreme. In both cases, the rules established by Facebook (now Meta) are violated, and therefore also the rules of WhatsApp.
You might be wondering how WhatsApp can tell if someone is doing any of these things, since the messages are end-to-end encrypted. First, other users can report such crimes to you.
But the main way WhatsApp detects misuse of its tool is by using automated systems to detect abnormal behavior, such as using the same computer to send messages from different accounts.
Best Practices in WhatsApp
In general, you shouldn’t worry about getting blocked unless you abuse WhatsApp on a massive scale. Naturally, it’s also unlikely that anyone else will report you if you’re following the rules of good conduct.
However, the company publishes a whole series of practices to protect other users and the platform itself. Here we list the most important:
- Communicate with known contacts: You should only send messages to people who have already contacted you or who have asked you to contact them via WhatsApp. It’s best to give your contacts your phone number so they can contact you.
- Ask permission and respect boundaries: Before adding contacts to a group, you must ask them for permission. If you add someone to a group and they leave the group, respect their decision.
- Use group controls: There is a setting that allows only people who manage them to send messages to WhatsApp groups. If you manage a group, you can decide whether all participants or only those who manage it can send messages to it.
- Don’t forward unnecessary information: The platform has developed a label for forwarded messages, so as to limit the number of times you can forward them to your contacts.
- If you have doubts about the veracity of something or if you do not know who wrote the message, the recommendation is not to forward it. The platform fights against the spread of misinformation.
You might be interested in checking out the Advantages of using Telegram over WhatsApp. We compare the two platforms in terms of usability and security.