WhatsApp completely changed the way we communicate remotely more than a decade ago. Most of our friends, family and other contacts that we have scheduled on our mobile phones use this instant messaging app to talk to us. You probably don’t like the idea of being left without access to this social network and, therefore, you should avoid certain words that could lead to a temporary sanction or a permanent block on the platform.
Not everyone knows it, but the Meta developers have ‘banned’ some words on WhatsApp. Of the more than 2 billion monthly active users that the application usually has, few are aware that certain terms they use, even as a joke, could kick them off the platform. Sometimes it will be a temporary punishment, but sometimes it could be permanent.
In order to guarantee the proper use of its platforms, WhatsApp has limits and conditions that users must take into account when registering. Among those restrictions are certain words that the company says violate its community policies. These correspond to the following contexts:
- Violence
- pedophilia
- Discrimination
- Harassment
- Pornography
- Hate
If terms are used that have to do with these topics that can be classified as crimes, WhatsApp could suspend your account for a time or forever. Of course, the company clarifies at all times that the chats continue to be end-to-end encrypted. But how is this possible? We’ll tell you then.
How does WhatsApp find out that you use prohibited words?
Although WhatsApp promises that chats are end-to-end encrypted, there are people who have been blocked from the platform for certain words they sent to other people. In case the user uses these joking terms, it can be very annoying to have your account suspended. However, it must be taken into account that the company makes these decisions to prioritize the safety of individuals and avoid the possible dissemination of illegal content or that incites violence.
When word spread that there were words banned on WhatsApp, the alarm went off among those who care about user privacy. But, in reality, the encryption of conversations is maintained. Initially, the platform can only read some of the chats if someone reports them. Specifically, the last five messages are forwarded and, if there is anything in them that raises suspicions, the account could be blocked.
According to the WhatsApp help portal, the messaging app “relies on all available unencrypted information, such as user reports, to detect and prevent” potential crimes. Therefore, having a single user report to you would not have to be enough, even if there are some related terms in the five messages that are sent. But, as it is better to be safe than sorry, we recommend that you do not refer to the aforementioned topics.
Temporary or permanent suspension
At the beginning of this article, we mentioned that WhatsApp can sometimes block us for a period of time, but other times they can do so indefinitely. How will we know if we have been suspended temporarily or permanently?
Generally, the WhatsApp block will be temporary and the app will notify you when you try to enter the platform. This means that, after a while, you will be able to chat again as usual without any problem.
However, there is a possibility that the platform chooses to block us permanently. If that happens, you will no longer be able to log in with your current account nor will you be able to register with your phone number ever again. Therefore, if you want to use WhatsApp you will have to change your number.
