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WhatsApp Business monitoring and violations policy
6 min
Created by Leonora Alves on 11/14/2024 5:03 PM
Updated by Leonora Alves on 7/11/2025 3:39 PM
Important: Before following the instructions, make sure the feature is available for your access profile

WhatsApp monitors the use of business accounts to ensure compliance with its policies. If any guideline is violated, the account may be warned, temporarily restricted, or even permanently deactivated, depending on the severity and recurrence.

Activity warning: How does it work?

WhatsApp Business accounts that violate these policies receive a warning with information about the breached rule, as shown in the notification icon below:

If the violations continue – such as sending spam, improper use of message templates, or involvement with high-risk categories (adult content, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gambling, and dangerous supplements) – the account may be progressively restricted.

Applied restrictions may include:

  • 1- or 3-day block on sending marketing, utility, or authentication templates and adding new phone numbers.
  • 5-, 7-, or 30-day block on sending any type of message and adding new numbers.
  • Indefinite block: The account is permanently prevented from sending messages and can only be unblocked through an appeal.
  • Permanent deactivation: Happens if the account fails to correct inappropriate behavior even after warnings and restrictions.

⚠️ Warning: In extreme cases, when there is evidence of violations that cause serious harm to users, WhatsApp may immediately deactivate the account without prior notice. Examples include child exploitation, scams and fraud, terrorism, and the sale of illegal drugs.

Main Violation Reasons

According to the official Meta documentation, these are the main violations subject to penalties:

ViolationDescription
ADULT / Adult contentSale or promotion of adult products and services.
ALCOHOL / AlcoholSale or promotion of alcoholic beverages.
DRUGS / DrugsSale or promotion of illegal drugs or prescription medications.
GAMBLING / GamblingPromotion or facilitation of gambling, casinos, lotteries, bingo, etc.
SUPPLEMENTS / SupplementsSale or promotion of dietary supplements considered high-risk.
SCAM / ScamsActivities that promote or facilitate fraud and deceptive schemes.
ILLEGAL_PRODUCTS / Illegal productsSale or exchange of illegal products or services.
THIRD_PARTY_INFRINGEMENTS / Intellectual property infringementSale of counterfeit products or items that infringe trademarks, patents, and copyrights.
TOBACCO / TobaccoSale or promotion of cigarettes, vapes, hookahs, etc.
WEAPONS / WeaponsSale or promotion of weapons, ammunition, or explosives.
MISLEADING / Misleading contentExploitative, offensive, fraudulent, or deceptive content.
REAL_FAKE_CURRENCY / Counterfeit currencySale of counterfeit, virtual, or real currency.
UNAUTHORIZED_MEDIA / Unauthorized mediaSale of devices that enable illegal streaming or interfere with electronic equipment.
DATING / Dating servicesPromotion or facilitation of online dating services.
BODY_PARTS_FLUIDS / Human body parts/fluidsSale of human body parts or fluids.


 ⚠️ Keep an eye out: Avoid these practices to prevent issues on WhatsApp 

  1. Mass messaging
    Sending messages to contacts who have never interacted with your business violates WhatsApp policies. In Zenvia Customer Cloud, only use contact lists with valid opt-ins. Avoid sending high volumes in a short time or using purchased/imported lists without consent.

  2. Being reported or blocked by users
    Generic, repetitive, or irrelevant messages may result in blocks and spam reports. Send useful content with controlled frequency and personalization to avoid negative feedback.

  3. Lack of opt-in/opt-out control
    Not offering a clear unsubscribe option or ignoring removal requests violates the rules. Keep your contact base updated and always respect the customer’s decision.

  4. Sale of unauthorized products
    Promoting weapons, drugs, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, or counterfeit products can lead to immediate suspension.

What to do if you are notified?

 If you received a warning or restriction, it’s important to remember that this is a Meta policy. Decisions regarding violations and restrictions are made directly by WhatsApp. 

 You can find more details in the Business Support section in Business Manager by following these steps: 

 1. Log in to the Business Manager.

 2. Go to All tools and select the Business Support Home page. 


3. Click Account overview (speedometer icon). 

How to avoid future violations

 To avoid future restrictions and keep your account compliant, follow these guidelines: 

  • Review the official policies: Carefully read the WhatsApp Message Policy.
  • Always use opt-in to start conversations: Configure your flows to require explicit customer consent. Include a welcome message with an opt-out button.
  • Always offer an opt-out option: Allow customers to stop receiving messages. In Zenvia Customer Cloud, use flows with buttons or clear opt-out instructions.
  • Keep your contact list up to date: If a customer requests removal, delete them from your list immediately. This reduces the chances of blocks and reports.
  • Prioritize quality over quantity: Avoid generic or repetitive messages. Instead, send valuable content like order confirmations, delivery updates, and customer support.