WhatsApp has issued a stern warning to users who download clone apps, threatening to permanently block them if they continuous use the apps.

The company gave this warning as a clone app named GB WhatsApp and others are gaining a rapid audience, The Mirror reported on Monday.

Though the clone app exhibits extra features that are not found on WhatsApp, the Facebook-owned company has warned users against patronising such an app because they violate WhatsApp security practices.

Whatsapp warned that if users fail to switch to their official Whatsapp account, they may be suspended or blocked from using the app.

“If you received an in-app message stating your account is ‘Temporarily banned’ this means that you’re likely using an unsupported version of WhatsApp instead of the official WhatsApp app,” WhatsApp said in a recent update.

“If you don’t switch to the official app after being temporarily banned, your account might be permanently banned from using WhatsApp,” it added.

Asides from the threat to permanent blocking, Whatsapp also warned that such clone apps also violate security practices.

“Unsupported apps, such as WhatsApp Plus, GB WhatsApp, or apps that claim to move your WhatsApp chats between phones, are altered versions of WhatsApp.

“These unofficial apps are developed by third parties and violate our Terms of Service. WhatsApp doesn’t support these third-party apps because we can’t validate their security practices,” revealed the update.