WhatsApp Makes Move To Curb The Spread Of Fake News By Its Users

The chat app, WhatsApp has introduced a new limit to the number of messages you can forward. WhatsApp hopes the change will help to curb the spread of misinformation amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Last year we introduced users to the concept of messages that have been forwarded many times. These messages are labeled with double arrows to indicate they did not originate from a close contact. In effect, these messages are less personal compared to typical messages sent on WhatsApp. We are now introducing a limit so that these messages can only be forwarded to one chat at a time. We’ve seen a significant increase in the amount of forwarding which users have told us can feel overwhelming and can contribute to the spread of misinformation. We believe it’s important to slow the spread of these messages down to keep WhatsApp a place for personal conversation. 

Aside from the forwarding limit, WhatsApp is also working with governments and charities to help bring its users’ accurate information.

It says:

Together these trusted authorities have sent hundreds of millions of messages directly to people requesting information and advice. You can learn more about these efforts, as well as how to submit potential myths, hoaxes and rumours to fact-checking organisations, on our Coronavirus Information Hub.

Whatsapp is used by many people all over the world, often, people forward information without fact-checking them and this news most of the time, ends up being fake.

In a period as this where people and governments all around the world are tackling the novel virus, the spread of fake news might cause panic.

To avoid this, it has been advised to listen only to verified news stations and read from news platforms that do not spread fake news. Also, ensure you do not spread unverified news.