WhatsApp prohibits the use of VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) numbers for account registration due to a few key reasons:
Verification: WhatsApp relies on SMS text messages to verify the identity and ownership of a phone number during account creation. VOIP numbers do not reliably receive SMS messages, making it difficult for WhatsApp to properly verify the user.
Abuse Prevention: VOIP numbers can be generated easily and cheaply, allowing bad actors to create multiple WhatsApp accounts to spam, scam, or otherwise abuse the platform. Restricting VOIP numbers helps WhatsApp maintain platform integrity and limit malicious activity.
Regulatory Compliance: In many regions, VOIP services operate in a legal gray area or face more lax regulations compared to traditional telephone numbers. Requiring standard mobile numbers helps WhatsApp comply with local telecommunications laws and guidelines.
Consistent User Experience: WhatsApp is built around the concept of a person's primary mobile phone number being tied to their account. Allowing VOIP numbers could introduce inconsistencies and complexities into the user experience that WhatsApp aims to avoid.
In summary, the restrictions on VOIP numbers for WhatsApp registration are primarily driven by verification challenges, abuse prevention, regulatory compliance, and maintaining a cohesive user experience across the platform.
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