MUSCAT: Several WhatsApp users in Oman contacted The Arabian Stories after finding themselves unexpectedly locked out of their accounts, with the app displaying a message stating that their account activity and device information were being reviewed to ensure compliance with WhatsApp’s Terms of Service.

The notification informed affected users that the review process would typically be completed within 24 hours, leaving many temporarily unable to access their chats and contacts.

The issue was not limited to Oman. Thousands of users across multiple countries took to social media platforms including X and Threads to report experiencing the same problem, with many saying their accounts had been suspended or placed under review without warning.

Responding to reports, Meta confirmed it was aware of the issue and said it was working to restore access for affected users.

“We are always working to stay ahead of those trying to abuse our service and ban accounts to help keep other users safe. Sometimes we get this wrong, and if we do, we try to fix it as quickly as possible to get people back to chatting. We’ve taken action to restore affected accounts,” a Meta spokesperson said.

The company, however, did not disclose what caused the unexpected wave of account reviews or whether users in specific countries were more heavily affected.

With WhatsApp serving more than three billion monthly active users globally, even a limited disruption can affect a significant number of people. While many users reported their accounts being restored after some time, others continued waiting for access to be reinstated.

The incident sparked widespread concern online, with users questioning whether the reviews were triggered by a technical error rather than violations of WhatsApp’s policies.

Meta has not yet provided further details on the cause of the issue or whether additional users could be affected.