Several WhatsApp users across India and other countries saw an unexpected "Account Under Review" message on Monday night, temporarily restricting access to several app features. Meta said the review is part of its security process and that any accounts affected in error would be restored as quickly as possible.
At around 8 p.m. on Monday, WhatsApp users in India and multiple other countries reported that their accounts had suddenly been placed under review. As a result, several users were temporarily unable to access chat, messaging and other features. The message displayed on affected accounts stated that account activity and device-related information were being reviewed to verify compliance with the platform's terms of service. The company said the review process is generally completed within 24 hours.
Following the issue, a large number of users shared their experiences on social media platform X and other channels. Many said they were using only the official WhatsApp application and had not engaged in any unusual activity, yet their accounts were placed under review. Some users reported that their accounts were restored within minutes or a few hours, while others received a message indicating they would need to wait up to 24 hours. User reports on social media also indicated that the issue affected users in multiple countries simultaneously.
According to PTI, a WhatsApp spokesperson said the company continuously works to identify accounts that may misuse the platform, and some accounts are reviewed as part of that process. The spokesperson acknowledged that the system can occasionally make mistakes and said that if an account is affected in error, the company works to restore it as quickly as possible so users can continue using the service without interruption. However, the company did not explain why a large number of accounts were placed under review at the same time.
Users whose accounts were placed under review saw a message stating that their account activity and device information were being examined. The screen also stated that the review is generally completed within 24 hours, after which the result would be communicated. The page also displayed options related to responsible use of WhatsApp, guidance resources, and assistance for stolen phones or compromised accounts. During the review period, most affected users were unable to access the app's normal features.
If users receive the "Account Under Review" message, they should continue using only the official WhatsApp application and wait for the review process to be completed. Users should avoid repeatedly installing or uninstalling the app, using modified WhatsApp applications, or attempting to log in multiple times. If the account is not restored after the specified review period, users may seek assistance through WhatsApp's official support channels. Meta has not officially confirmed that the issue was caused by a technical fault or a large-scale outage.
