During the launch of the Department of Telecom’s Sanchar Saathi website, Union Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that over 3.6 million or 36 lakh WhatsApp accounts have been banned in India. This action by WhatsApp reinforces its dedication to ensuring user safety and security.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Telecom Minister, highlighted the government’s efforts to combat WhatsApp call fraud. Active engagement with WhatsApp has resulted in an agreement that recognizes the utmost importance of customer safety.
Blocking Scam-Related Phone Numbers on WhatsApp
In response to the rising cases of WhatsApp call scams, over 3.6 million phone numbers associated with fraudulent activities have been blocked on WhatsApp. Scammers have been observed using numbers from countries such as Indonesia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Vietnam, and Malaysia to target unsuspecting users.
During the launch event, Union Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed inquiries regarding the government’s actions to address the increasing cases of WhatsApp call scams in the country. In response, he stated,
We have had productive discussions with WhatsApp, and they have acknowledged the paramount importance of customer safety. All OTT platforms are actively collaborating to deactivate the accounts identified as fraudulent users.
Speaking at the ban, Abhishek Malhotra, Managing Partner of TMT Law Practice, said:
WhatsApp’s move to ban 3.6 million accounts involved in fraudulent activities strongly demonstrates the platform’s dedication to safeguarding users from scam calls. This decision sends a powerful message about their commitment to user protection.
As we continue to combat fake international calls, the goal of this media pitch is to highlight WhatsApp’s proactive measures, the impact on user safety and privacy, and the importance of collaboration between governments and technology companies to establish a secure digital environment.