By: Saneliso Mlambo
A growing number of WhatsApp users worldwide have reported being locked out of their accounts after receiving unexpected “Account in Review” notifications or permanent ban messages. The issue, which gained momentum on Monday, August 3, has affected both personal and business accounts, disrupting communication for thousands of users.
The reports have triggered widespread concern across social media, with many users claiming they were restricted despite not violating WhatsApp’s policies. At the time of publication, Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, had not issued an official statement explaining the apparent surge in account reviews and bans.
Users from several countries said their accounts were flagged shortly after logging into WhatsApp Web or linking their accounts to a desktop application. Others claimed they were locked out after travelling and reconnecting to the service from a different location. While these experiences have been widely shared online, Meta has not confirmed that either activity is responsible for triggering the restrictions.
Cybersecurity experts say WhatsApp relies heavily on automated systems to detect suspicious behaviour, including signs of spam, fraud and account hijacking. Sudden changes in login location, device switching or unusual account activity can cause the platform’s security systems to temporarily flag an account for verification.
Business users appear to have been among the hardest hit. Sending identical messages to multiple contacts, particularly those who have not saved the sender’s number, may resemble bulk messaging or spam. Security specialists note that such behaviour can reduce an account’s trust score, although WhatsApp has not confirmed whether its detection systems have recently become more aggressive.
The company also continues to enforce its ban on unofficial versions of the app, including modified clients such as GB WhatsApp and WhatsApp Plus. Accounts connected to these applications risk immediate suspension because they violate WhatsApp’s Terms of Service.
Affected users generally encounter one of two messages. An “Account in Review” notification means WhatsApp has temporarily restricted the account while automated systems assess its activity. Reviews are often completed within 24 to 72 hours, and accounts may be restored if no policy violations are found.
Users receiving the message “This account can’t use WhatsApp” have been permanently banned from the service. In those cases, users can submit an appeal through the app, where they are asked to verify ownership of their phone number and explain why they believe the restriction was made in error.
Technology experts advise affected users not to repeatedly request SMS verification codes or attempt to register the same phone number on multiple devices while the account is under review. Such actions can appear suspicious to automated security systems and may delay the review process.
Until Meta provides an official explanation, it remains unclear whether the latest wave of account restrictions is the result of a technical fault, changes to WhatsApp’s automated enforcement systems, or a broader security operation targeting suspicious activity.