Popular instant messaging service WhatsApp is said to be temporarily banning users that are using the third-party client WhatsApp Plus in tandem with it. WhatsApp Plus is being wrongly circulated as an alternative to the traditional WhatsApp making onlookers falsely believe that it is the next version of WhatsApp.

Sensing a probable privacy and security threat, WhatsApp  is now barring all those users who have WhatsApp Plus installed and running on their smartphones/tablets from using WhatsApp in tandem. User instances reveal that the ban imposed by WhatsApp lasts for 24 hours on charges of violating its ‘terms of service’ by using a third-party client.

“WhatsApp Plus is an application that was not developed by WhatsApp, nor is it authorised by WhatsApp. The developers of WhatsApp Plus have no relationship to WhatsApp, and we do not support WhatsApp Plus. Please be aware that WhatsApp Plus contains source code which WhatsApp cannot guarantee as safe and that your private information is potentially being passed to 3rd parties without your knowledge or authorization.” mentions WhatsApp on its official FAQ page.

As such, users have been asked to uninstall WhatsApp Plus from their devices, then make a fresh install of WhatsApp in order to reuse the service. Take note, the 24-hour ban period shall follow even after you uninstall WhatsApp Plus/install WhatsApp again.