Help suspended from WhatsApp!

[Discombobulated2024]

I am on a walking holiday abroad, alone and relying on WhatsApp to book accommodation as well as for keeping safe and feeling connected to friends and family. This morning I had a message from WhatsApp, ‘this account can no longer use WhatsApp’ No explanation.

I have no idea why this has happened. I am a respectable 62 year old woman. Not a spammer, scammer or extremist. I have not broken the terms and conditions in any way at all. I am really upset and panicking. Any ideas why this might be and what I could do about it?

I have, of course turned it off and on again and tried to reinstall the app. Nothing. Happened about 4 hours ago.

https://faq.whatsapp.com/465883178708358/?helpref=uf_share

Try that, OP

@Domoda thanks very much for that link. I have read all the info on it. It just says that people are suspended for violating terms and conditions and WhatsApp will decide what they do next. I have not violated the terms and conditions and I really need to use WhatsApp to stay safe. The information does not help me!

Have you appealed?

But realistically, if there's no option for using anything other than WhatsApp, you're going to need a different sim card in the short-term, and that should work.

It's likely to be against WhatsApps terms, though, so could mean you get a device level ban.

@YouveGotAFastCar i have appealed but they say I have to wait 24 hours and there is no discussion involved.

I am really anxious I am missing communications with my accommodations (I am staying in different places every night) not to mention my children, husband, work, friends etc.

How on earth can this happen? It is so unfair on vulnerable people.

I am not by any means suggesting this isn’t unfair and doesn’t feel horribly so…

but WhatsApp’s terms say it shouldn’t be used for emergency messaging; and like any other private service, they can choose who uses it. I hope they will unban your account, but they could decide not to, just like Facebook could decide they didn’t want to allow you an account, or Barclays, or O2.

You could try another SIM card for today if you vitally need access, or you’re going to need another way to communicate for now. I hope they review this quickly. There was a glitch yesterday where peoples accounts were showing as not being set up, but that seemed to get resolved within a few hours.

If you’ve not violated terms, hopefully your account will be back soon, but I wouldn’t count on it being really quick incase it’s not.

Can’t you phone instead, or use normal text messaging?

This sometimes happens to Dh and he gets unbanned every time. Just message your family on normal texts and tell them what’s happened and message your accommodation and ask them to use texts/ email instead?

Never happened to me. How odd.

Why does your safety depend on WhatsApp?

What's wrong with texting and ringing people?

Fingers crossed it's sorted for you soon

Maybe next time have a backup plan, text, phone call, email, social media messaging. Relying on one platform isn't necessarily the greatest idea, especially if you're alone.

I don’t understand why can’t you just text?

Use Telegram or another of the messaging apps
They're all very similar

I was blocked last week, for no reason. I appealed and was back in 7 hours later.

She can also just text. I’m not getting the desperation and how it’s made her vulnerable.

It depends where she is. In Turkey this summer, I couldn’t use text or voice call but I could connect to wifi and use WhatsApp.

OP is Facebook messenger or another app an option?

I am really anxious I am missing communications with my accommodations (I am staying in different places every night) not to mention my children, husband, work, friends etc.
for the accommodation just drop them an email or a message on their website or text that you can’t receive WhatsApp atm but you’re available via text or telegram/signal/another messaging app

Your best bet is to contact anyone you think might need to message you by other means (text message or email etc) and and explain you can’t receive WhatsApp at the moment

That would indicate you didn’t have roaming, it’s not about where you are?

Texts will use phone signal. She might not have one.
If you have wifi or phone data you can switch on Wifi Calling if you need to?

Or use email, but you'll need to know email addresses.

Yes that’s what I meant.

I could have paid (extortionate) charges but chose to just use WiFi, maybe the OP is the same.

What constitutes spamming on WhatsApp? Surely a messaging app will get used heavily by some?

So, I have had a message that the suspension was an error. But, I have to verify my number in order to start using it again and I am not receiving the verification codes or phone calls to do this. So I am still unable to access it.

In answer to people who are asking why WhatsApp is essential; I am in a walking trail in a remote location on another continent outside Europe. The accommodation is reserved daily on a first come first served basis. Hikers WhatsApp first thing in the morning to confirm if/when they are coming. The dormitories say they do not take phone calls, SMS or emails (and of course I have tried). So, yes I am vulnerable.

I find the dismissive posts a bit odd. I think most people in my situation would feel anxious about this.

Sorry to hear this OP. I hope you manage to get this sorted out. Is there any way you can get a message to the group about the problem? Could someone in the UK help?

OK, op don't panic.

This exact thing happened to me earlier this year.

You need to go into your phone settings and grant WhatsApp access to calls and messages again. You will then receive the notifications and codes to be able to verify your account.

Exact message I got from WhatsApp support.

Thanks for your message.
When you create a WhatsApp account or re-register an existing account, you must confirm that you own your phone number, which helps keep your account secure. To successfully register your account, you must have an active SIM card in your device for the phone number you’re registering and a stable internet and cellular connection.
You can verify that you own your phone number via phone call or SMS. If you have the option to verify your account through a phone call, you can complete verification with a missed call from WhatsApp.
If given the option to register with a missed call, you must grant WhatsApp the following permissions to proceed:

• Manage calls: Allows WhatsApp to automatically end the incoming phone call.
• Access to call log: WhatsApp requires access to your call log so we can do a one-time check that you received the call.

Once you grant both of these permissions, you’ll receive a phone call, which WhatsApp automatically ends, to complete registration. You don’t need to accept the phone call, and you might not see the incoming call. This will appear in your call log as a missed or rejected call from an unknown number. If you choose to deny these permissions before completing registration, you must verify your phone number via SMS in order to register. When prompted, enter the 6-digit registration code sent to you via SMS to complete registration. Note: You can disable these permissions at any time. To manage permissions, navigate to your device’s Settings and tap Apps > WhatsApp > Permissions. For more information about registration and two-step verification, please read this article. You can learn more about how to verify your phone number in this article. If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. We'll be happy to help!