WhatsApp an interpersonal communication application which was started by former employees of Yahoo in the year of 2009, became a billion dollar successful mobile application. WhatsApp has taken the forte of personal communication to the next level where it allows you to share pictures, videos and has come up with many other interesting features including payment options.

Facebook bought over WhatsApp after it gained immense popularity globally, for a whopping $19 billion acquisition in 2014. But issues like Cyber bullying and Cyber crime are also on the rise across the globe and to take measures to counter these cyber crimes, WhatsApp has introduced new guidelines. Here are the new guidelines issued by the company:

First and foremost misuse Whats App can lead to suspension or banning your account.

1. According to the new rules and regulations of WhatsApp, any illegal content and fraudulent messages are not to be forwarded.

2. If any Whatsapp user is seen promoting messages that can cause or instigate violence, the account is liable to be banned.

3. Fake accounts on Whats app will be pulled down based on the activity.

4. Bulk messaging or auto messaging, auto dialing can also lead to suspension of the account.

5. Any individual is liable to punishment for altering or modifying the WhatsApp application code.

6. Sharing any kind of virus or malware to other users and any other data which is against policy of Whats App is not acceptable.

7. Hacking in to the Whats App server or misuse of users personal data, can cause the WhatsApp account to be banned permanently.

8. If an individual account is blocked by many users on WhatsApp, can also be a reason to terminate the account.

9.Unregulated participation in transferring

unauthentic/ improper information which facilitates the execution of cyber-crime will also lead to the account to be banned. The Union Government is planning to frame a new set of clauses to extend the accountability of social media companies under Indian Law to curb cyber crime. These clauses are going to be added to the existing Section 79 of the Information and Technology Act, which orders for due diligence and give a time up to 36 hours for an individual or company to remove any objectionable content from the net.The proposed guidelines will make it mandatory for global internet and social media firms like Google , Facebook etc., to name a grievance officer from their side to address complaints and ensure traceability of content. Meanwhile efforts are needed to filter the criminal activities by these social media engines by the legal authorities and individuals who report such activities.

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