WhatsApp monitors and alerts business accounts that repeatedly violate the WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy, the WhatsApp Commerce Policy, or the WhatsApp Business Terms of Service.
Activity notice: How does it work?
WhatsApp Business accounts that violate these policies receive a notification with details about the violated rule: "A violation has been identified in your WhatsApp Business account. See all the details here.".
Consequences of repeated violations
Violations can lead to gradual restrictions, depending on severity and recurrence, as detailed below:
- Temporary message restriction
- 1 or 3-day block on opening marketing, utility, and authentication conversations.
- 5, 7, or 30-day block on opening conversations and adding numbers to the account.
- Indefinite suspension or permanent deactivation
- Indefinite block: Can only be lifted through appeal.
- Permanent deactivation: Occurs when no corrective action is taken after warnings or blocks.
⚠️ Attention: Serious violations, such as child exploitation, scams, terrorism, or selling illicit drugs, result in immediate account deactivation.
Common reasons for violations
Below are some of the prohibited categories under Meta's policy:
Category | Example |
Adult Content | Sex toys, adult videos. |
Alcohol | Sale of alcoholic beverages, production kits. |
Animals | Animal sales, adoption services. |
Drugs | Marijuana, drug paraphernalia. |
Gambling | Casinos, lotteries, bingo. |
Illegal Products | Any illegal product or service. |
Intellectual Property | Counterfeit products, piracy. |
Tobacco | Sale of cigarettes, hookahs, e-cigarettes. |
Weapons | Sale of firearms, ammunition, explosives. |
💡 Tip: For the complete list, see the WhatsApp Commerce Policy.
Questions about violations
If you received a warning or restriction, it's important to remember that this is a Meta policy. Decisions on violations and restrictions are made directly by WhatsApp.
You can find more details in the Business Support section in Meta Business Suite or the Business Manager, by following the steps below:
Meta Business Suite
- Log in to Meta Business Suite.
- Click on All Tools in the left-hand menu and select Business Support.
- Go to the Account Overview section (speedometer icon).
Business Manager
Access the Business Manager.
Click on All Tools (three horizontal lines) at the top and choose Business Support.
Click on Account Overview (speedometer icon).
Avoid Future Violations
To avoid new restrictions and keep your account compliant, follow these guidelines:
- Review official policies: Carefully read the WhatsApp Commercial Policy and the WhatsApp Business Policy.
- Apply best practices: Follow the guidelines in the WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy to send high-quality messages and avoid negative feedback.
⚠️ Attention: Failure to comply with these policies may result in the permanent loss of your WhatsApp line. Ensure you follow all guidelines to protect your account.
If you need additional support, also check this FAQ article about WhatsApp policies.