WhatsApp is an instant messaging platform designed as a simple, secure, and reliable tool for sending messages. Messaging is essentially private, and the service’s terms and conditions are designed to protect users and the platform. Additionally, it has a Business version specifically designed for companies and entrepreneurs who want to interact with their customers more efficiently and professionally.

In the business realm, WhatsApp offers various features that enhance communication and business management: configuring response messages, labeling and categorizing conversations, statistics on the quantity of sent, delivered, and read messages, etc. WhatsApp is an incredible tool for improving customer satisfaction, increasing operational efficiency, and strengthening a company’s presence and reputation in the market.

FluxForce, as an All-in-One Marketing Automation platform, allows you to easily integrate and use the WhatsApp you use for your company. This enables you to manage your communication with customers using this channel through our platform. You can automate message sending, have real-time conversations with your contacts, send them valuable content, and use it as a communication channel in your lead generation, nurturing, or customer loyalty campaigns, etc.

However, WhatsApp, as an independent platform from FluxForce, has a set of policies and conditions that must be respected and complied with. Each user is solely responsible for their use of WhatsApp and adherence to the platform’s usage guidelines. Violating or exceeding them can result in account cancellation. Can you imagine losing such an important communication channel? How can you reach each of your customers through this channel without affecting your corporate reputation?

In this article, we summarize the general rules for using WhatsApp and recommend some best practices to avoid having your account suspended or canceled by Meta, the owner of this messaging platform.

1. Main actions that can lead to WhatsApp account cancellation.

As a messaging platform, WhatsApp was created to send private messages, to help people communicate and conduct business. Instead of encouraging users to build an audience, WhatsApp is designed to help people share with those they know or receive useful information from a business.

WhatsApp cancels accounts when it believes that activity violates the terms of service. For example, if it involves instances of spam or fraud, or if it jeopardizes the security of WhatsApp users.

When WhatsApp classifies an account as abusive, it proceeds to cancel it immediately. Abuse detection works at three stages of a WhatsApp account’s lifecycle: during registration, during message sending, and in response to negative feedback received in the form of user reports and blocks.

During registration, WhatsApp sends a temporary code via SMS or a phone call. Users must enter this unique code to demonstrate control over the phone number and SIM card associated with their account. If this step is not completed, the account cannot be fully created and used.

During message sending, WhatsApp evaluates the real-time behavior of the account, not the content of the messages, but rather the frequency of account activity.

The intensity of user activity can signal that accounts are abusing the platform. For instance, an account that registers five minutes before attempting to send 100 messages at once or an account attempting to send 1 message per second for 30 seconds is likely involved in abuse.

The accumulation of negative feedback is another reason for account cancellation. If an account accumulates negative feedback, such as when other users send reports or block the account, the platform’s protection systems assess the account and take appropriate measures.

The main reasons that can lead to your WhatsApp account being canceled are:

• Violation of the Terms of Service or Privacy Policies of the platform.
• Excessive sending of messages (spam) to broadcast lists or third-party contact lists.
• Sharing fake news.
• Sending discriminatory, offensive, or threatening messages to specific users or groups of people.
• Dissemination of advertisements, advertising materials, and commercial announcements.
• Sending messages to users who have not subscribed and/or authorized such sending.
• Your number being reported and blocked by multiple users on the platform.
• Use of an unofficial version of WhatsApp such as GB WhatsApp or WhatsApp Plus.

WhatsApp works with automated learning programs that automatically identify patterns of behavior and platform usage and proceed to account cancellation immediately. If, even unintentionally, you violate any of these rules, you risk triggering alarms and having your platform account canceled.

2. Best practices for the responsible use of WhatsApp

The platform itself, within its terms and usage policies, highlights certain rules that must be followed, ensuring proper and responsible use of WhatsApp and its features. Here’s a summary of them:

• Always remember to request permission from users before sending any type of message. Note that some of these permissions will only apply to certain use cases and not others.
• Respect all requests (both inside and outside WhatsApp) that people send to block, interrupt, or otherwise unsubscribe from the communications you send via WhatsApp, including removing that person from your contact list.
• It is crucial to keep your company’s information on the WhatsApp platform up to date, such as the name, logo, description, contact details, and operating hours. This will ensure that users trust the account and don’t report it as fake or spam.
• Ensure that the information you provide is accurate and up to date. You must not impersonate another company or deceive customers about the nature of your business.
• Use only the official application.
• Always comply with the Usage Terms established by the platform.
• Be cautious with automations. You can automate messages, but when sending them without complying with WhatsApp policies, you risk having your account canceled.

Adhering to these rules will allow you to use the platform and its many advantages for commercial and communication purposes. FluxForce facilitates your use and integration of this important channel; our platform will alert you when you attempt an action that could compromise your WhatsApp account. However, as the account owner, it is essential that you are responsible and respectful of the rules governing it. FluxForce is not responsible for the improper use of digital communication channels available on our platform by our customers. It is the customer’s responsibility to follow the best practices and responsible use of each of the third-party services available on this platform. FluxForce, in no case, will be responsible for actions carried out by third parties (such as WhatsApp) to ensure compliance with their policies by customers of this platform.

Here is the link where you can consult WhatsApp’s official Terms of Use and Policies.

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