WhatsApp Puts Multiple Accounts 'Under Review' for 24 Hours, Temporarily Restricts User Access
Messaging platform WhatsApp temporarily blocked access for numerous users globally on Monday after placing their accounts under a 24-hour review process without prior warning.
Multiple WhatsApp users, including many in India, reported that their accounts were unexpectedly placed "under review" for up to 24 hours, temporarily blocking access to the messaging platform. The incident, which surfaced on Monday evening, prompted widespread complaints on social media. Meta-owned WhatsApp later acknowledged the issue and said it was working to restore access for affected users, according to a report.
WhatsApp Users Report Sudden Account Restrictions
Affected users said they received an in-app notification stating that their accounts had been placed "under review," preventing them from sending messages, making calls or accessing other core features of the app. WhatsApp Puts Multiple Accounts Under Review for 24 Hours.
Many users said they had not received any prior warning or notice of a possible violation, raising concerns that the restrictions may have been triggered in error. Reports of the issue emerged around 8 p.m. IST and quickly spread across social media platforms.
WhatsApp Responds
Responding to media queries, a WhatsApp spokesperson said the company continuously works to prevent misuse of its platform by identifying accounts involved in spam, scams and other abusive activities.
The spokesperson added that the company is aware that mistakes can occur and, when they do, it aims to restore affected accounts as quickly as possible. In a later update, WhatsApp confirmed that it was actively fixing the issue that had disabled access for several users. WhatsApp Web Calling Launched: Users Can Now Make Audio, Video Calls Directly From Browser.
Cause Remains Unclear
WhatsApp has not disclosed how many accounts were affected or whether the reviews were triggered by a technical malfunction, an automated enforcement system or a broader anti-abuse initiative.
The company has also not confirmed whether the issue was limited to India or affected users in other countries, though complaints surfaced from multiple regions online.
What Users Saw
Several users reported that the review notice included links to WhatsApp's guidance on responsible use of the platform and information related to stolen phones and compromised accounts. Despite the temporary restrictions, users were informed that the review process could take up to 24 hours.
WhatsApp routinely uses automated systems and manual reviews to detect activity that may violate its Terms of Service, including spam, fraud and other forms of misuse. The platform says accounts found to be in violation may be temporarily restricted or permanently banned, although users can request a review if they believe enforcement was incorrect.
The latest incident appears to have affected legitimate users unexpectedly, prompting concerns about the accuracy of the review process. As of the latest update, WhatsApp said it is working to restore access for impacted accounts while continuing to investigate the issue.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 04, 2026 09:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
