WhatsApp users may get banned from the platform for using 'GB WhatsApp', a third-party modification of the popular messaging application.
The social media company cracks down upon users who are detected using GB WhatsApp or any other third-party modification of the original WhatsApp app.
As per the 'security and privacy' guidelines uploaded by WhatsApp on its official website, the company reserves the right to ban accounts which violate its stated policy. The violations which have been listed include the use of unauthorised "modified versions of WhatsApp".
Third-party mods including GB WhatsApp are preferred by some of the users as it provides them with features such as greater flexibility in sending bulk messages, auto-replying, increase the number of images that can be transferred at once, filtering messages and downloading status.
Most of these add-on features fall under the list of violations of WhatsApp's user guidelines. Once the users of third-party mods are detected through WhatsApp's machine learning technology, or through complaints received from other users, their accounts may get banned.
"Don't try to bulk message, auto-message or auto-dial using WhatsApp. WhatsApp uses both machine learning technology and reports from users to detect and ban accounts sending unwanted messages. This includes the systematic contacting of users in ways they may not want. Also, don't create accounts or groups in unauthorised or automated ways, or use modified versions of WhatsApp," the company stated in its guidelines.
