Meta admits technical glitch behind WhatsApp account suspensions in Malaysia

Meta has acknowledged that technical errors were a contributing factor to the suspension of legitimate WhatsApp user accounts in Malaysia, according to findings by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM).

The regulator identified technical glitches in more than 50 percent of cases within the first batch of account suspensions that were escalated to the technology company for investigation. The admissions follow complaints from Malaysian users whose accounts were suspended despite complying with WhatsApp's terms of service.

SKMM did not disclose the total number of affected users or specify the exact nature of the technical problems identified. The commission has been investigating the matter following public complaints about the unexpected account freezes, which prevented users from accessing their messages and contacts.

The findings represent a significant acknowledgment from Meta regarding platform management issues on one of its most widely used services in the region. WhatsApp has suspended millions of accounts globally for various policy violations, but the Malaysian cases highlight concerns about false positives in automated enforcement systems.

It remains unclear whether affected users have had their accounts restored or what measures Meta plans to implement to prevent similar technical errors in future suspension decisions.