Why Hundreds of Kenyan WhatsApp Accounts Face Sudden Bans

Recent reports indicate a widespread suspension of WhatsApp accounts in Kenya, reminiscent of a similar incident that occurred five years ago.

Users across the country have experienced sudden logouts from their accounts, often while actively using the application on multiple devices. In Kenya, WhatsApp serves as a primary communication tool for nearly 14 million users. According to Meta’s data, Kenya boasts the world’s highest percentage of monthly WhatsApp usage, with an impressive 97 percent of internet users engaging with the platform every month. The suspensions have left many users perplexed and frustrated. One affected individual recounted their experience of being unexpectedly logged out from both their phone and laptop simultaneously.

Users encountering this issue are greeted with a message stating, “This account no longer uses WhatsApp. Chats are still on this phone.” WhatsApp has instructed those affected to await a review process, which the company claims will be completed within 24 hours. While the precise reasons for these bans remain unclear to many users, WhatsApp’s guidelines provide some context. The platform emphasizes that accounts found in violation of its terms of service will face suspension. These violations include sending unsolicited or automated messages, creating unauthorized accounts, and utilizing modified versions of the application.

Notably, clone apps such as GBWhatsApp and YoWhatsApp which have gained popularity among some Kenyan users fall into this category of unauthorized versions. Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, has intensified efforts to combat the use of these unauthorized app versions, coinciding with the current wave of suspensions. The company employs machine learning techniques and user reports to identify and ban accounts that violate its policies. This crackdown appears to have significantly impacted Kenya where the use of clone apps has been widespread. The timing of these suspensions is particularly noteworthy, occurring shortly after data from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) revealed shifting patterns in social media usage.

According to the CA, WhatsApp’s market share experienced a slight decline of 0.3 percent in the first quarter of the year, while Facebook’s popularity increased. During this period, Facebook surpassed WhatsApp as the most-used social media platform in Kenya, with 49.4 percent of the adult population using it compared to WhatsApp’s 47 percent. The suspensions seem to affect a diverse range of users, from individual personal accounts to businesses that rely on WhatsApp for communication. While it remains uncertain whether this is a technical issue or an intentional enforcement action by Meta, no official statement has been released to address the problem.

WhatsApp does provide a mechanism for users to appeal bans by requesting a review within the app, which is currently the recommended course of action for those seeking to restore their accounts.