WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. Its ease of use and capabilities like group chats and media sharing make it a convenient way to stay in touch.
However, like any platform that connects people, you may occasionally encounter a contact whose behavior makes you uncomfortable. WhatsApp provides tools to help manage such situations. This article will explore what happens when you report or block a contact on WhatsApp.
What Happens When You Report a Contact?
Reporting a contact is one way to notify WhatsApp of objectionable behavior. Here’s a breakdown of the reporting process:
How to Report a Contact
Reporting a contact is easy to do through the WhatsApp app:
- Open the chat with the contact you wish to report.
- Tap on the contact’s name at the top of the chat screen.
- Scroll down and tap “Report contact” on Android or “Report junk” on iPhone.
This will bring up options allowing you to report the contact for a variety of reasons, such as spamming, offensive language, or threats of violence. Select the most appropriate reason.
WhatsApp will ask if you want to include the most recent messages from the contact as examples. You can choose to include messages or report without sending examples.
Finally, tap “Report” to submit your report. WhatsApp will confirm the report has been sent.
What Happens After Reporting
After you report a contact, here’s an overview of what happens:
- The report and any example messages are sent to WhatsApp for review.
- A member of WhatsApp’s team will assess the report to determine if it violates their Terms of Service.
- If the report is found valid, action will be taken against the violating account.
- Actions could include warnings, temporary bans, or permanent account deletion, depending on severity.
- You will not receive any direct notifications about actions taken, to protect privacy.
The main goal is to detect and limit abusive behavior on WhatsApp. Legitimate reports help achieve that goal, while false or frivolous reports waste time and resources. So only report contacts when genuinely concerned about their behavior.
What Happens to Your Account After Reporting
Reporting a contact does not directly affect your own account. You can continue using WhatsApp normally.
Some key points:
- You remain visible to the contact and they can still message you until further action is taken.
- There are no penalties for submitting valid, good-faith reports, even repeatedly.
- However, if WhatsApp detects intentional abuse of the reporting system, your account could face restrictions.
- If you report a contact in error, simply let WhatsApp know and the report will be retracted.
Overall, don’t hesitate to report any contacts whose behavior may violate policies. This helps improve the WhatsApp community.
What Happens When You Block a Contact?
Blocking is a more direct way to manage an unwelcome contact. Here’s how blocking works on WhatsApp:
How to Block a Contact
You can block contacts through your phone’s settings or the WhatsApp app:
On Android:
- Open the chat with the contact.
- Tap the three dots in the upper right.
- Select “More” then “Block contact.”
- Confirm the block. The contact will be blocked.
On iPhone:
- Open the chat with the contact.
- Tap on the contact’s name.
- Scroll down and select “Block Contact.”
- Confirm the block. The contact will be blocked.
You can also block contacts through your phone’s settings outside the WhatsApp app. Refer to your device’s user guide for details.
What Happens When You Block a Contact
Blocking a contact prevents them from interacting with you on WhatsApp in these ways:
- They can no longer send you messages or call you.
- Any messages they send will not go through.
- You stop receiving notifications from the blocked contact.
- They are removed from your contacts list and all groups you share.
- Your profile photo and online status are hidden from the blocked contact.
Essentially, blocking creates a one-way barrier between you and the blocked user. You no longer see messages received from that person. Your profile and online activity is also hidden.
Blocking is anonymous. The blocked contact is not notified of the block. From their side, it will seem like messages are going through normally but you have stopped responding.
However, other contacts who have both of your numbers in their address books may deduce you blocked the user if your common groups change.
Reversing a Block
You can reverse a block at any time when you no longer wish to limit contact with that person.
On Android:
- Go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Blocked contacts.
- Tap “Unblock” next to the contact’s name.
- The block will be reversed and they will be unblocked.
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Blocked > Unblock.
- Tap “Unblock” next to the contact’s name.
- The block will be reversed and they will be unblocked.
Once unblocked, the contact will again be able to message and call you normally. You’ll both reappear in any shared groups.
Key Differences Between Reporting and Blocking
Reporting and blocking can both help manage unwanted contacts, but work differently:
| Action | Reporting | Blocking |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Get WhatsApp to review and take action against violation behavior | Directly prevent contact between you and another user |
| Effect on reported/blocked user | No immediate effect, future action if report valid | Immediately unable to contact or interact with you |
| Ideal for… | Reporting offensive, abusive or illegal behavior | Personally limiting contact with bothersome users |
| Can reverse action? | No, report handled by WhatsApp | Yes, block can be lifted |
| Notifies user? | No notification | No notification of block |
In summary, reporting is for flagging violations to WhatsApp, while blocking directly ends communication between users.
What Happens When You Report and Block a Contact?
You can also choose to both report and block an unwanted contact for maximum effect. Here is what happens:
- The contact is immediately blocked on your end, preventing further messaging and interaction.
- You also file a report notifying WhatsApp of the user’s violation behavior.
- WhatsApp reviews the report and may take action like warnings or bans if it is found valid.
- You remain unable to message the blocked contact until you personally unblock them.
- If WhatsApp bans the user altogether, they will no longer be able to communicate on the platform at all.
Reporting and blocking together helps immediately protect your own experience, while also getting problematic behavior on record with WhatsApp. This comprehensive approach maximizes the chances of limiting abuse.
When to Report and Block
Here are situations where reporting and blocking may be most appropriate:
- The user sends threatening, harassing, or dangerously offensive messages.
- The user ignores requests to stop unwanted messaging.
- You feel personally unsafe communicating with the user.
- The user sends spam or scams despite warnings.
- The user tries contacting you from new numbers after blocking.
Essentially, report and block contacts who make you feel uncomfortable and may violate WhatsApp policies. This helps protect yourself and others in the community.
Conclusion
Reporting and blocking are tools to maintain a positive WhatsApp experience by managing unwanted interactions.
Reporting notifies WhatsApp of abuse so action can be taken against violators when appropriate. Blocking personally limits contact with bothersome users.
Using both options together when faced with threatening or harassing contacts maximizes your protection while enabling WhatsApp to address the issue. However, avoid misusing these options and only report legitimate violations.
With over 2 billion diverse users, WhatsApp inevitably hosts some negative behavior. But features like reporting and blocking help limit the harm caused by unwelcome contacts, making WhatsApp communication safer for everyone.