If you’re banned on WhatsApp, we (might) have a solution for you!

After hitting the limelight with its period-tracking chatbot, WhatsApp has come up with yet another useful feature. This time, the feature will allow users who have been banned on WhatsApp to appeal for their account to regain access.    

Regain Access to Banned Accounts   

According to various sources, more than 16 lakh accounts were banned on WhatsApp in April 2022. The instant messaging platform bans numerous users every month for violations of laws or its terms of service. If your account is banned, you’ll see the following message when you open WhatsApp: “This account is not allowed to use WhatsApp.” According to WhatsApp, “We ban accounts if we believe the account activity violates our Terms of Service, for example, if it involves spam, scams, or if it puts WhatsApp users’ safety at risk.” However, now, it has come with a useful feature that will allow banned users to appeal and regain access to their accounts within the app.   

WhatsApp’s new feature is available for those users who are using the beta version of the messaging app. Users who have been banned on the platform will now be able to appeal for their account to regain access to it. The latest update comes from WaBetaInfo, which has spotted the feature on the platform.  

The report says that users will get an option to contact WhatsApp Support right within the app when they try to log into their banned WhatsApp account. Currently, you don’t get the option in the messaging app, and you will have to visit the support page of WhatsApp to drop a review request to regain access to your account.  

Here’s what to do if you’re banned on WhatsApp  

WhatsApp’s latest beta version shows the revoke option for banned accounts within the app. Once you opt for it, WhatsApp support will review your account and device info to check for ‘illegal activity that goes against their terms of service’. When you drop a request for a review, you will also be required to enter some additional details.   

After submitting the review, there are chances that your account could be restored if the platform discovers that your account was banned by mistake. However, users do need to keep in mind that if WhatsApp finds that your account has violated their Terms of Service, then you will not be able to re-use your old account and you will also not get a third chance.  

The cited source has spotted WhatsApp’s new feature in the Android beta version of the app. According to the report, it is suggestive that the same will also be made available to iOS users in the coming weeks. It is currently unknown when the new feature will be released to the stable version of WhatsApp.  

However, you can still drop a review request if you are using the stable version and your account is banned. You just need to visit the platform’s contact page and email them requesting the cancellation of your banned account.  

Meanwhile, WhatsApp is also working on various additional features. These namely include the ability for users to switch to avatars on video calls and introducing a blur tool for media editors on desktop. The messaging platform has released a new version of message reactions. According to WABetaInfo on Twitter, “Some users on WhatsApp beta for Android and iOS can now choose any emoji to react to messages!” 

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Anwesha Mishra

Anwesha has been a creative writer for a while. Currently, on her pursuit of tech writing, she is diving into the realms of technology to produce better content on the forever-changing world of technology. In her free time, you’ll find her humming tunes of her favourite shows or reading a book.