WhatsApp Limits Message Forwarding To One Chat To Curb Spread Of Fake News
Image via BigTunaOnline / Shutterstock.com
WhatsApp is now limiting the number of times a message can be forwarded to others in a bid to stop the spread of misinformation during this pandemic.
Previously, users were able to send the same message to five different chats at one time by selecting ‘Forward’. However, the ability to share messages this way will now be limited to only one other chat.
According to The Next Web, WhatsApp will not be able to read the contents of the message, but the platform can monitor the number of times the text has been forwarded. The change is part of the app’s effort to fight the spread of misinformation.
In a blog post, the Facebook-owned company wrote, “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 conversations,” the app added.
WhatsApp is also testing a reverse image search and a text search feature to help users verify the authenticity of forwarded news.
WhatsApp first throttled its 2 billion users from forwarding messages after the feature was linked with mob violence and lynchings in India. Now, the Facebook-owned company has further restricted forwarding to fight misinformation about the coronavirus https://t.co/N9pvglIQrM
— Iain Martin (@_IainMartin) April 7, 2020
[via The Next Web, opening image via BigTunaOnline / Shutterstock.com]
Also check out these recent news
