Authorities believe WhatsApp’s current approach of not sharing details of the mobile numbers linked to banned accounts is limiting the government’s ability to track spam, impersonation, and cyber fraud. While WhatsApp publishes monthly compliance reports disclosing the number of accounts it removes for policy violations, officials said the lack of information about the specific numbers involved reduces transparency and weakens enforcement efforts.
India is WhatsApp’s largest market, and the platform identifies Indian accounts through the +91 country code. Government officials noted that in several cases, numbers banned on WhatsApp later reappear on other messaging platforms such as Telegram, where they continue to be used for fraudulent activities. The misuse of Indian phone numbers by scammers operating both within and outside the country remains a persistent issue, despite multiple measures taken to combat digital fraud.
According to officials, over-the-top messaging platforms are frequently used for scams because once an account is registered using a mobile number, it can function without an active SIM card. This makes it extremely difficult for law enforcement agencies to trace perpetrators. Authorities estimate that nearly 95% of cases involving digital arrest scams and impersonation fraud currently originate on WhatsApp.
Government representatives said identifying when a SIM card was issued and verifying the authenticity of its know-your-customer details are critical steps in tackling such crimes. Discussions are ongoing with WhatsApp and other OTT platforms to find mechanisms that balance user privacy with national security and fraud prevention.
The government also issues direct requests to platforms to disable accounts linked to illegal activities. Data from the Department of Telecommunications shows that by November this year, around 2.9 million WhatsApp profiles and groups were disengaged following government directives. However, officials pointed out that while these removals are documented, there is little clarity around accounts banned independently by WhatsApp.
Former Ministry of Electronics and IT official Rakesh Maheshwari said the purpose of monthly compliance reports was to improve platform accountability. He added that if emerging patterns raise security concerns, authorities are justified in seeking additional information.
WhatsApp has maintained that due to end-to-end encryption, its enforcement actions rely on behavioural indicators rather than message content. The company has also stated that sharing detailed account data involves complex legal and cross-border challenges. However, government officials argue that limited disclosure, even at the level of mobile numbers, poses a security risk when large-scale fraud is involved.
