WhatsApp banned users who are using a third-party app called WhatsApp plus for 24 hours. Facebook owns the popular cross-platform messaging service.
Several users reported that they were banned from using WhatsApp on different social networking sites such as Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. WhatsApp explained that those users were prohibited to access its service because they violated its terms of service by using a third-party client.
WhatsApp has no relationship with the third-party app
WhatsApp explained in the Frequently Asked Question section of its website that it did not develop WhatsApp Plus and it has no relationship with the developers of the app.
The company also pointed out that it does not support the third-party client and warned users regarding their security.
“Please be aware that WhatsApp Plus contains source code which WhatsApp cannot guarantee as safe and that your private information is potentially being passed to 3rd parties without your knowledge or authorization,” according to the company.
Last November, the instant messaging service announced its partnership with Open Whisper Systems to provide end-to end- encryption for users. According to Open Whisper Systems, the messages of users using the app on Android devices are already encrypted.
The popular messaging service said users must un-install WhatsApp Plus and install the authorized version of WhatsApp from its website or Google Play. After that, they will be able to use the service.
WhatsApp has 700 million monthly users
WhatsApp has 700 million monthly users sending 30 billion messages every day, according to its CEO Jan Koum. It is one of the largest messaging services available in the market. BlackBerry’s BBM has 91 million monthly active users (MAUs) while China’s WeChat has 468 million MAUs based on a November tracking data.
Facebook acquired the popular messaging service for $19 billion. The social network giant’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that Facebook’s acquisitions including Instagram will be meaningful once the services reach 1 billion users. According to him, WhatsApp and Instagram are “meaningful businesses in their own right.”
