WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.10.5: what's new?

WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.24.10.5.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on an account restriction feature, and it will be available in a future update!

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.25.16 update, we announced that WhatsApp was working on a feature to allow channel owners to request a review for their suspended channels. With this enhancement, WhatsApp aimed to enable channel owners to appeal against suspensions, providing a process for resolving critical issues with their channels. It appears that WhatsApp is considering other tools to offer a consistent experience for all users, not just for channel-related issues. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.10.5 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on an account restriction feature!

As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is currently experimenting with a new feature to restrict user accounts from sending messages, set for release in a future update of the app. When an account is restricted from WhatsApp, users won't be able to start new chats for a certain amount of time as a temporary penalty for specific violations. However, it seems that restricted users will still be able to receive messages and reply to them from existing chats and groups, ensuring essential communication isn't entirely cut off.

WhatsApp uses automatic tools to detect abusive spam-like behavior, automated or bulk messaging, or other activities that violate its terms of service. It's worth noting that these tools cannot access the content of our messages and calls, as they are end-to-end encrypted. Instead, they rely on specific behavioral patterns to detect suspicious activities, such as the frequency of message sending or whether automated scripts are being used. This automatic detection helps identify accounts exhibiting potentially harmful conduct. By restricting accounts rather than outright banning them, WhatsApp aims to offer users an opportunity to correct their behavior without causing them to lose access to their data entirely.

In our opinion, this feature serves as a balanced alternative to outright account bans, which could result in the loss of important data and communications. By imposing a temporary restriction, WhatsApp can address problematic behavior without permanently banning users from using WhatsApp, minimizing significant disruption to the messaging experience. The goal is to promote responsible use of the platform, ensuring that everyone can connect and communicate without encountering spam, abuse, or other disruptive activities. We believe that this new feature will bring a more flexible approach to moderation, allowing for targeted interventions without resorting to complete account bans.

An account restriction feature is under development and it will be available in a future update of the app. We will share another article once we've gathered additional information about this feature.

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