Live streams, thumbnails and playlist edits freeze too, and recent videos may go private. Confirmed hijacks keep the limits until owners re-secure the account.

Live streams, thumbnails and playlist edits freeze too, and recent videos may go private. Confirmed hijacks keep the limits until owners re-secure the account.

 The Indian government has expressed concern over WhatsApp banning an average of nearly 9.8 million Indian accounts every month until October, amid fears that Indian mobile numbers are being widely misused for scams and cybercrime. Officials familiar with the discussions said the government is engaging with the Meta-owned messaging platform to understand how such large-scale misuse can be prevented and how enforcement efforts can be strengthened.  Authorities believe WhatsApp’s current approach of not sharing details of the mobile numbers linked to banned accounts is limiting the government’s ability to track spam, impersonation, and cyber fraud. While WhatsApp publishes monthly compliance reports disclosing the number of accounts it removes for policy violations, officials said the lack of information about the specific numbers involved reduces transparency and weakens enforcement efforts.  India is WhatsApp’s largest market, and the platform identifies Indian accounts through the +91 country code. Government officials noted that in several cases, numbers banned on WhatsApp later reappear on other messaging platforms such as Telegram, where they continue to be used for fraudulent activities. The misuse of Indian phone numbers by scammers operating both within and outside the country remains a persistent issue, despite multiple measures taken to combat digital fraud.  According to officials, over-the-top messaging platforms are frequently used for scams because once an account is registered using a mobile number, it can function without an active SIM card. This makes it extremely difficult for law enforcement agencies to trace perpetrators. Authorities estimate that nearly 95% of cases involving digital arrest scams and impersonation fraud currently originate on WhatsApp.  Government representatives said identifying when a SIM card was issued and verifying the authenticity of its know-your-customer details are critical steps in tackling such crimes. Discussions are ongoing with WhatsApp and other OTT platforms to find mechanisms that balance user privacy with national security and fraud prevention.  The government also issues direct requests to platforms to disable accounts linked to illegal activities. Data from the Department of Telecommunications shows that by November this year, around 2.9 million WhatsApp profiles and groups were disengaged following government directives. However, officials pointed out that while these removals are documented, there is little clarity around accounts banned independently by WhatsApp.   Former Ministry of Electronics and IT official Rakesh Maheshwari said the purpose of monthly compliance reports was to improve platform accountability. He added that if emerging patterns raise security concerns, authorities are justified in seeking additional information.   WhatsApp has maintained that due to end-to-end encryption, its enforcement actions rely on behavioural indicators rather than message content. The company has also stated that sharing detailed account data involves complex legal and cross-border challenges. However, government officials argue that limited disclosure, even at the level of mobile numbers, poses a security risk when large-scale fraud is involved.

 Cybercriminals are actively targeting Amazon users with a sharp increase in phishing scams, and the company is sounding the alarm. Fraudsters are sending deceptive emails that appear to originate from Amazon, prompting users to log in via a counterfeit Amazon webpage. Once a person enters their credentials, attackers steal the information to take over the account. The urgency to secure your Amazon account has never been greater.   These scam emails often warn customers about unexpected Amazon Prime renewal charges. What makes them particularly dangerous is the use of stolen personal data to make the emails appear genuine. Amazon’s warning reached over 200 million users, emphasizing the widespread nature of this threat.  Adding to the concern, cybersecurity firm Guardio reported a dramatic spike in a related scam—this time delivered through SMS. This variant claims to offer fake refunds, again luring users to a fraudulent Amazon login page. According to Guardio, these text-based scams have jumped by 5000% in just two weeks, showing how aggressively attackers are adapting their tactics.  Amazon says it is actively fighting back, having removed 55,000 phishing websites and 12,000 scam phone numbers involved in impersonation schemes over the past year. Despite these efforts, scammers persist. To combat this, Amazon issued six practical tips for customers to recognize and avoid impersonation fraud.   The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has also issued alerts, noting that scammers are pretending to be Amazon representatives. These fake messages typically claim there’s a problem with a recent purchase. But there’s no refund or issue—just a trap designed to steal money or private data.  To stay protected, Amazon strongly recommends two major security measures. First, enable two-step verification (2SV) via the “Login & Security” settings in your account. Avoid using SMS-based verification, which is more vulnerable. Instead, use a trusted authenticator app such as Google Authenticator or Apple’s Passwords. If you’ve already set up SMS verification, disable it and reset your 2SV preferences to switch to an app-based method.  Second, add a passkey to your account. This provides a stronger layer of defense by linking your login to your device’s biometric or PIN-based security, making phishing attacks far less effective. Unlike traditional methods, passkeys cannot be intercepted through fake login pages.  Cyberattacks are growing more sophisticated and aggressive. By updating your account with these safety tools today, you significantly reduce the risk of being compromised.