Israeli WhatsApp Users Face Sudden Account Bans While Viber Reports User Surge

Many Israeli users reported last month that their WhatsApp accounts were blocked without prior warning, sometimes multiple times in a short period. Some described blocks occurring after connecting a linked device such as a computer, while others complained about the lack of a clear way to appeal and understand the exact cause. It remains unclear whether this wave stems from a deliberate tightening of security mechanisms, a technical glitch, or a combination of both.

Capitalizing on the situation is its competitor Viber. According to the company, the past month saw an increase of several thousand Israeli users who downloaded the app or returned to it compared to previous months and summer periods in past years. This data comes directly from the company and could not be independently verified.

Liad Schnall, CTO of Viber, argues that a full account ban is a "heavy weapon" that should not be the default choice. "If you can stop problematic behavior without completely stopping the user, that is usually a better outcome," he says, suggesting instead to temporarily restrict only the specific abused capability, such as broad broadcasting. He notes that errors are inevitable in a system of this scale, making an appeal mechanism a necessary part of the architecture rather than an afterthought—a feature notably lacking in Meta's WhatsApp.

To minimize ban risks across any messaging app, Schnall advises avoiding mass sending of identical messages to unsuspecting recipients. Most systems check if the sender is saved in the recipient's phone book, making messages to ten strangers significantly riskier than the same message to ten friends and family members. He also warns against chain messages urging mass distribution, and recommends stopping immediately if recipients begin blocking or reporting the messages.