WhatsApp users abusing the messaging app had better watch out, as the service is cracking down on people who violate their strict terms and conditions.

Ya know…the small text you didn’t read when you set up your app.

Don’t worry, neither did we – a bit like everyone’s favourite FaceApp, right?

IOL reports that violating these terms and conditions could result in you getting banned, temporarily or permanently, from using the service.

Clearly, that’s bad news for anyone who wants to stay connected, because everyone uses WhatsApp.

(Hopefully, in the long run, nobody will jump straight to a phone call without at least sending a courteous WhatsApp first, but that’s a gripe for another day.)

When you get banned, WhatsApp will notify you with a message stating that “you’re temporarily banned from WhatsApp.”

The company outlines multiple reasons as to how one can get banned in its FAQ and Terms of Service.

Here’s what will get you banned:

1. Sending too many messages to users who do not have your number saved in their address books,

2. If users are blocked by too many people in a short period of time,

3. If users are creating multiple groups that contain users who do not list you in their address books,

4. Violating the Terms of Service,

5. If the app you are using is not the official WhatsApp

According to the platform, if users think that their account was banned by mistake, they can email them to investigate and rectify the situation.

WhatsApp said in a blog post: “If you received an in-app message stating your account is “Temporarily banned” this means that you’re likely using an unsupported version of WhatsApp instead of the official WhatsApp app. If you don’t switch to the official app after being temporarily banned, your account might be permanently banned from using WhatsApp.”

“Please review the acceptable use of our services” section of our Terms of Service carefully to learn more about the appropriate uses of WhatsApp and the activities that violate our Terms of Service.”

Given what I’ve seen going around on WhatsApp, without anybody being banned, you should be OK.

Still, it might be time to read that fine print

[source:iol]