WhatsApp says it is fixing a problem that incorrectly disabled a number of user accounts, after many people reported being suddenly locked out of the messaging app over the past few hours.
Users affected by the issue shared screenshots on X and Threads showing a message from WhatsApp stating that their account activity and device information were being reviewed to ensure compliance with the platform’s Terms of Service. The notice said users would typically receive a decision within 24 hours, leaving many temporarily unable to access their chats.
The disruption sparked concern among users who rely on WhatsApp for work and daily communication. With more than 3 billion monthly active users worldwide, even a relatively small technical issue can affect thousands of accounts.
In a statement to TechCrunch, Meta acknowledged the problem and confirmed that it is working to restore access for affected users. The company said it regularly bans accounts to prevent abuse and protect the platform, but admitted that mistakes can happen.
“We are always working to stay ahead of those trying to abuse our service and ban accounts to help keep other users safe. Sometimes we get this wrong, and if we do, we try to fix it as quickly as possible to get people back to chatting. We’ve taken action to restore affected accounts,” a Meta spokesperson said.
Meta has not disclosed what caused the accounts to be mistakenly flagged or whether the issue was limited to specific countries or regions. The company also did not say how many users were affected, but confirmed that efforts to restore impacted accounts are underway.
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