WhatsApp warns users, people using modified apps will be banned

New Delhi: Social Messaging App -WhatsApp has warned its users of a temporary ban, along with deleting users entire chat history, sources report.

The messaging app has warned against fake versions of Whatsapp which is doing the internet rounds and users using any third party applications will face a temporary ban and could be given boot Metro reported.

It has also urged everyone who thinks the software they’re using is not genuine to back up their chat history because it could end up being lost when they transfer back to the official app.

The news was confirmed by WABetaInfo that has pointed out that WhatsApp could soon begin banning users who use unofficial third-party apps to access the messaging service.

In a tweet with a link to the official WhatsApp FAQs page, the source claimed that WhatsApp has now updated their FAQs to help users with Banned Accounts, to migrate their data from unsupported apps to the official app.

Another news source Tech2 that has connected with WhatsApp about the ban has got the following response from a spokesperson:

“WhatsApp cares deeply about the safety of our users. To protect the privacy and security of their account, we strongly recommend users only download WhatsApp from official app stores or from our website. We are continuing to step up our enforcement against imposter WhatsApp services to help curb abuse and keep WhatsApp users safe.”

The messaging app will also go to the extent of naming the unofficial apps called WhatsApp Plus and GB WhatsApp on its FAQs page the sources states.

“Unsupported apps, such as WhatsApp Plus and GB WhatsApp, are altered versions of WhatsApp. These unofficial apps are developed by third parties and violate our Terms of Service. WhatsApp doesn’t support these third-party apps because we can’t validate their security practices.”

With the temporary ban in force, users can not sent messages for about 24 hours.

So what do these unofficial WhatsApp apps get you?

The APKs of these apps will require to be side-loaded in order to be installed and used on Android devices and these have to be downloaded from unofficial sources.

The users of these apps will have to update their apps from unofficial sources which will be put their data and device both at the risk of malware.

Those facing the temporary ban will have to wait for the ban to end.