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WhatsApp Business Platform Policy Violations | Developer Documentation

WhatsApp Business Platform Policy Violations

Updated: Nov 14, 2025
We are announcing a structured, consistent approach to how the Commerce and Business Policies are enforced on the WhatsApp Business Platform. See this guide for an overview of how this enforcement system works and the product experience.
The list below outlines specific policy violations a business could receive. We may adjust this list over time. Subscribe to the account_update webhooks to get real-time notifications about these policy violations.
Violation Description (Click the arrow in the left column for examples, if available)
ADULT
Businesses may not transact in the sale or use of adult products or services. Examples:
    Products promoting family planning and contraception, which focus on the contraceptive features of the product, and not on sexual pleasure or sexual enhancementSex toysVideos or live shows for adult entertainmentSexual enhancement productsSexually suggestive services
    ALCOHOL
    Businesses may not transact in the sale of alcohol. Examples:
      Books or DVDs about alcoholAlcohol-related items, including glasses, coolers, and wine bottle holdersAlcoholic beveragesKits for producing alcohol
      ANIMALS
      Businesses may not transact in the sale of any animals.Examples:
        Animal cagesProducts for animals (toys, collars, etc.)Veterinary servicesGrooming services Boarding servicesPet adoption servicesLive animalsLivestockProhibited animal parts, including but not limited to bone, teeth, horn, ivory, taxidermy, organs, external limbs, secretions, or carcassesAny product or part, including but not limited to leather, skin, hide, fur, wool, or hair from any dogs, cats, and endangered or threatened animals
        BODY_PARTS_FLUIDS
        Businesses may not transact in the sale of human body parts or fluids. Examples:
          Blood donation centersBloodHair extensions and wigsUrineBody partsOrgansHuman tissueTeeth
          DATING
          Businesses may not transact in or facilitate online dating services.
          DIGITAL_SERVICES_PRODUCTS
          Businesses may not transact in the sale, including links to or processing of any subscription sales, renewals, or upgrades, etc., of digital content, digital subscriptions, or digital accounts. Examples:
            Authentic audio or video CDs, DVDs, and Blu Ray Digital devices, including Smartphones, video game consoles, and TVsDownloadable content, including PDFs, music, games, movies, etc.Digital accounts, including games accountsDigital subscriptions and internet streaming services, including TV, Mobile, etc.Digital coupons
            DRUGS
            Businesses may not transact in the sale of illegal, prescription, or recreational drugs. Manufacturers and healthcare services who do not engage in direct sale are allowed. Examples:
              Drugs, including marijuana and marijuana productsDrug paraphernalia, including pipes and bongsPrescription drugs
              GAMBLING
              Businesses may not transact in or facilitate gambling, games of skill, or lotteries, including online casinos, sports books, bingo, or poker if it costs money.
              HEALTHCARE
              Businesses may not transact in certain healthcare products, including medical devices, and smoking cessation products containing nicotine. Manufacturers and healthcare services who do not engage in direct sale are allowed. Examples:
                Medical DevicesLifestyle and fitness accessoriesContact lenses, bandages and braces for physical injuriesThermometersTesting kits for medical conditions or diseasesBreast pumpsFirst-aid kitsSmoking Cessation Products
                  Nicotine patches Nicotine gum
                  ILLEGAL_PRODUCTS
                  Businesses may not transact in the operation or exchange of illegal products or services.
                  MISLEADING
                  WhatsApp prohibits business models, goods, items, or services that we determine may be or are fraudulent, misleading, offensive, or deceptive, or that may be or are exploitative, inappropriate, or exert undue pressure on targeted groups. Examples:
                    Multilevel marketingPenny auctionsICOs and binary optionsPayday loans, paycheck advances, P2P lending, debt collection, and bail bondsDiet, weight loss, or other health related products that imply or attempt to generate negative self-perception
                    OVERTLY_SEXUALIZED_POSITIONING
                    Businesses may not position products or services in a sexually suggestive manner. Examples:
                      Implied nudityImplied sexual actsZoomed-in sexual images
                      REAL_FAKE_CURRENCY
                      Businesses may not transact in the sale of real, virtual, or fake currency. Examples:
                        Real money (cash or cash equivalent instruments and coins)Replica or prop moneyDigital or cryptocurrencyActive bank credit or debit cardsStore credit cards or couponsPre-paid credit or debit cardsChecks or checkbooksEquipment to create counterfeit currency or financial instruments
                        SCAM
                        Businesses may not transact in any activities that promote or facilitate scams.
                        SUPPLEMENTS
                        Businesses may not transact in the sale of unsafe ingestible supplements, as determined by WhatsApp in its sole discretion. Examples:
                          Anabolic steroidsChitosanComfreyDehydroepiandrosteroneEphedraHuman growth hormones
                          THIRD_PARTY_INFRINGEMENTS
                          Transactions may not contain content that infringes upon or violates the intellectual property rights of any third party, including copyright or trademark. This includes, but is not limited to, the sale of counterfeit products, such as goods that copy the trademark (name or logo) and/or distinctive features of another company’s products to imitate a genuine product. Examples:
                            Counterfeits, knockoffs, or replicas of branded goods, or posts offering goods that are likely to confuse consumers about the source, sponsorship or affiliation of those goods.Unauthorized or pirated copies of copyrighted works, such as videos, movies, TV shows and broadcasts, video games, CDs or other musical works, books, etc.
                            TOBACCO
                            Businesses may not transact in the sale of tobacco products or tobacco paraphernalia. Examples:
                              Apparel featuring a tobacco brand logoCigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobaccoTobacco pipes and paraphernalia Tobacco rolling machinesHookahsBongsRolling papersElectronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes) or tobacco devices
                              UNAUTHORIZED_MEDIA
                              Businesses may not transact in the sale of devices that facilitate or encourage streaming digital content in an unauthorized manner or interfering with the functionality of electronic devices. Examples:
                                Add-on equipment for streaming devices such as keyboards and remotesSale of streaming devices loaded with software that facilitates unauthorized access to contentJailbroken or loaded devicesJamming or descrambling devicesWiretapping devices
                                WEAPONS
                                Businesses may not transact in the sale or use of weapons, ammunition, or explosives. Examples:
                                  Promoting safety training or licenses for legal weaponsFirearms and firearm partsPaintball gunsBB GunsFireworksPepper sprayTasersGun rangesGun shows

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