A TikTok video by a user claiming to be a J&T Express rider has gone viral, drawing attention to the challenges couriers face with WhatsApp messages. In the clip, which has amassed over 2 million views, @hznrzli urges customers who pay via online transfer (non-COD) to at least acknowledge delivery notifications with a “thank you,” a sticker, or even a single dot.
The rider explains that ignoring messages or leaving them on “read” could cause WhatsApp to flag their account as spam, potentially restricting or banning it. He shows an alert on his phone reading: “Your account is restricted right now… Recent activity on your account may be a sign of spam, automated or bulk messaging.” He emphasizes that if the account is restricted, riders can’t communicate parcel details, making it harder for both parties.
While WhatsApp can restrict accounts it considers spammy, it’s not as simple as “don’t reply = ban.” The platform considers reports, blocks, or mass ignoring of messages, particularly if the sender is contacting many people inappropriately. For normal delivery updates, the risk of being flagged is likely low.
In short, replying to courier messages is courteous and may help prevent spam flags, but it is not strictly necessary to avoid account restrictions. The TikTok video exaggerates the urgency, though it highlights the communication challenges faced by delivery riders.
