Viral Audio Sparks Panic Over Alleged WhatsApp Account Suspension in Nigeria
A widely circulated audio message on WhatsApp has generated significant concern among Nigerian users, with claims that the messaging platform intends to suspend accounts nationwide. The Hausa-language recording, attributed to a speaker identifying as Karamin Titiburin ku Hamisu Azare, alleges that WhatsApp plans to block user accounts because the number of users has become "too large".
False Claims of Platform Sale and Shutdown
The audio message makes several alarming assertions without providing credible evidence. The speaker claims that WhatsApp has been sold to Facebook's owner and would be shut down at midnight, stating that this information had been "confirmed". Additionally, the recording urges users to forward the message to all contacts, warning that failure to do so would result in account suspension.
Perhaps most concerning is the claim that blocked accounts could only be restored after users paid a monthly fee of ₦25,000. "Blocked accounts will only be restored after the user registers and agrees to pay a monthly fee of ₦25,000," the speaker alleges. However, the audio provides no official WhatsApp sources or verifiable documentation to support these serious allegations.
Fact-Checking Investigation Reveals No Evidence
In response to the widespread circulation of this audio and the anxiety it generated among Nigerian WhatsApp users, fact-checking organization DUBAWA conducted a thorough investigation. Their verification process included:
- Checking WhatsApp's official website, blog, and help center
- Reviewing WhatsApp's verified social media accounts on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram
- Conducting keyword searches using phrases like "WhatsApp account suspension payment" and "WhatsApp ₦25,000 fee Nigeria"
DUBAWA found no announcement from WhatsApp suggesting any impending account suspension or the introduction of subscription fees. According to WhatsApp's published policies, the platform remains free to use and does not charge users for basic messaging services.
Historical Context of Similar Misinformation
Fact-checkers discovered that this type of misinformation is not new. Similar messages circulated in 2020 and 2021, using comparable tactics to create panic among users. WhatsApp has consistently maintained that it does not charge fees to activate, maintain, or restore accounts.
The company has clarified that account suspensions typically occur only when users violate the platform's terms of service, such as through spam or abusive behavior, and are not related to payment issues. WhatsApp has also warned that messages demanding payment are often associated with misinformation or scams.
Official Position and User Recommendations
The claim that WhatsApp plans to suspend users' accounts and demand a monthly payment of ₦25,000 for restoration has been officially declared false. There is:
- No official announcement from WhatsApp supporting these allegations
- No confirmation from any credible news source
- No evidence found during comprehensive fact-checking investigations
Users are advised to ignore such messages and refrain from forwarding them to contacts. The spread of this misinformation highlights the importance of verifying information through official channels before sharing it widely on social media platforms.
