Millions of WhatsApp and Facebook accounts scrapped in Meta's extensive deletion spree
In a significant move to enhance user security and combat online fraud, Meta has recently purged over 6.8 million WhatsApp accounts in the first half of 2025. These account deletions were prompted by the involvement of the accounts in fraudulent activities, primarily scams targeting users in Southeast Asia.
The deleted accounts were linked to various simultaneous scams, including cryptocurrency investment scams and pyramid schemes. Scammers often used group chats and social media platforms to create trust and then defraud victims.
The primary reasons behind this large-scale account removal include preemptive action to stop accounts before scammers could fully exploit them, scammers systematically moving victims across platforms, the use of AI-generated text to lure victims into scams, and the introduction of new WhatsApp features like muting notifications from unfamiliar groups.
WhatsApp's account deletions are not limited to proven scam accounts, and it appears that innocent parties might also be getting caught up in this. A Meta spokesperson stated that action is taken on accounts that violate their policies, and people can appeal if they think a mistake has been made.
The crackdown aligns with WhatsApp's broader efforts to enhance user security and combat online fraud, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions where, for example, Russia has restricted WhatsApp calls accusing the app of facilitating criminal and terrorist activities. WhatsApp maintains its commitment to end-to-end encryption and fraud prevention globally.
In addition to the account deletions, WhatsApp is rolling out new anti-scam protections. These include safety overviews for group invitations and alerts for individual chat invitations from unknown contacts.
However, users are complaining on platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and TikTok that their accounts have been suspended or deleted without cause. Meta has confirmed the deletion of 6.8 million WhatsApp accounts, and the account deletions are aimed at improving security and safety on both Facebook and WhatsApp.
Meta proactively detected and took down accounts before scam centers could operationalize them. The announcement about the account deletions was made on August 5. The account deletions are part of a larger ongoing purge by Meta.
Paul Bischoff, a consumer privacy advocate at Comparitech, questions the scope of the problem as 6.8 million account deletions might not seem significant for a service with three billion active users. However, the ongoing efforts by Meta underscore the seriousness of the issue and the company's commitment to protecting its users from fraudulent activities.
- The ongoing binding between scammers and social media platforms, such as Facebook and WhatsApp, has led to increased cybersecurity concerns, as these platforms are often used to execute fraudulent activities like cryptocurrency investment scams and pyramid schemes.
- In response to these concerns, Meta, the company behind Facebook and WhatsApp, has demonstrated its commitment to technology innovation and social responsibility by implementing a meta account purge and introducing new features like anti-scam protections, aiming to ensure a safer and more secure environment for users on both platforms.
