WhatsApp is stepping up its fight against spam and scams in Spain, introducing new restrictions to keep conversations safe for everyone.Credit : JarTee, Shutterstock
Spam, Scams, and the new rules: What every WhatsApp user in Spain needs to know. Ever get that little wave of panic when WhatsApp suddenly won’t let you send a message? Well, you might want to pay extra attention this summer, because WhatsApp is rolling out a new way to keep things tidy, and some users could find themselves temporarily blocked if they don’t play by the rules.
Why is WhatsApp blocking accounts? The real reason behind the fuss
Let’s be honest: nobody likes spam. We’ve all had those days where our WhatsApp pings non-stop with random forwards, sales pitches, or endless ‘good morning’ memes from that one relative. But Meta (the folks behind WhatsApp) have had enough. They’re introducing something called ‘account restriction’, which is basically a polite way of saying: “You’re in the naughty corner—think about what you’ve done.”
It’s not a full ban, don’t worry. If WhatsApp spots you sending out loads of spam, or using bots to fire off messages, they’ll put your account on pause for a bit. You won’t be able to start new chats, but you can still reply to messages you already have. So, you won’t be totally ghosted, but it’s a nudge to stop spamming.
The idea isn’t to punish everyone forever. WhatsApp wants to give people a chance to change their habits, rather than just shutting down accounts left and right. It’s a bit like your mum telling you off for making a mess, but not taking away your toys for good.
More than just spam: How WhatsApp is fighting scams and fraud
While WhatsApp is getting stricter with its own rules, there’s also a fresh scam doing the rounds, and it’s cleverer than you’d think. Here’s how it goes: you get a video call from someone claiming to have camera trouble. They’ll say, “Can you press the share screen button for a sec?” Sounds harmless, right? But as soon as you do, they can see everything you do on your phone—including your WhatsApp security codes.
If you’re unlucky, they’ll wait until your verification code pops up, then swipe your account and transfer it to their own device. Just like that, you’re locked out and someone else has your contacts, chats, and maybe even your group gossip. Nightmare.
So, how do you stay out of trouble?
- First rule: never share your screen unless you’re absolutely sure who’s on the other end.
- Don’t click on weird links, or type in codes you didn’t ask for.
- If WhatsApp says you’ve been restricted, take it seriously. Cut down on mass-forwards and those endless group invites.
- And keep your app updated—there’s always some clever security tweak happening behind the scenes.
WhatsApp’s new restrictions: Why safety and friendly chats matter most
WhatsApp isn’t out to get you—they just want to keep our group chats fun and free of dodgy messages. If you stick to chatting with mates, sharing a silly meme now and then, and double-checking before you tap anything suspicious, you’ll be absolutely fine.
But if you ever get that “You can’t start a new chat” message, now you know why! Grab a cuppa, let the timeout pass, and remember: it could be worse. At least you’re not totally banned.
Stay smart, keep your chats safe, and let’s hope your WhatsApp account never sees the naughty step! For more handy updates and digital life tips, keep checking in with us at Euro Weekly News.
