In an effort to fight misinformation, WhatsApp is further limiting the number of people you can forward viral messages to.
It goes without saying that will billions of people around the world stuck at home due to COVID-19, unable to see their friends and family in person, are turning to various social platforms to stay in touch. One of these is, of course, WhatsApp, where all messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted to keep personal conversations private.
However, WhatsApp has become a breeding ground for misinformation, and the Facebook-owned app is responding in various to fight it.
One of its measures is “the concept of messages that have been forwarded many times” introduced last year. These messages – labeled with double arrows to show that they did not originate from a close contact – are typically less personal and more likely to contain misinformation.
To constrain the virality of these messages, WhatsApp increased the friction of forwarding last year, limiting forwarding of such messages to five other users. That measure led to a 25% decrease in message forwards globally.
Now, WhatsApp is taking this one step further, with the introduction of a new limit – allowing these messages to be only forwarded to one chat at a time.
But all forwarding isn’t bad, right? True. As WhatsApp explains in a recent announcement:
“We know many users forward helpful information, as well as funny videos, memes, and reflections or prayers they find meaningful. In recent weeks, people have also used WhatsApp to organize public moments of support for frontline health workers.”
Related | Facebook Announces WhatsApp Dark Mode
However, there has also been “a significant increase” in forwarding that users can feel overwhelmed by and “can contribute to the spread of misinformation.” WhatsApp says it wants to slow down the spread of such messages and keep its platform as “a place for personal conversation.”
In addition to this latest limit, WhatsApp says it’s working with NGOs and governments to make sure people have access to accurate information on the COVID-19 crisis. Hundreds of organizations have used WhatsApp to send hundreds of millions of messages to people who are asking for information and advice on the current situation.
Apart from keeping misinformation from its platform, WhatsApp is also working hard to keep the messaging app and systems “running reliably” during the pandemic, something of a challenge as billions of users are flocking to it (and other platforms) daily.
You might also like
More from WhatsApp
WhatsApp Now Lets You Edit Messages Within 15 Minutes Of Sending
WhatsApp announced today it will finally let users edit messages, one of the most anticipated features. You will have 15 minutes, …
WhatsApp Adds New “Chat Lock” For More Private Conversations
WhatsApp is making conversations even more private with a new "Chat Lock" feature, placing conversations in a protected folder. The new …
WhatsApp Finally Has An App For Your Android Smartwatch
WhatsApp has released an official Wear OS app. Now you can send WhatsApp text or voice messages directly from your …
WhatsApp Introduces 3D Avatars
3D Avatars are now finally available on WhatsApp, months after their debut on Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. WhatsApp 3D Avatars can …
How To Use The Giannis & Family Sticker Pack On WhatsApp
WhatsApp has released an in-app sticker pack inspired by Antetokounmpo called “Giannis & Family.” Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo became WhatsApp’s …
WhatsApp May Soon Limit Message Forwarding To One Chat At A Time
A change spotted in WhatsApp beta limits the sharing of regular messages (not just frequently forwarded ones) with multiple chats.
NBA Star Antetokounmpo Becomes WhatsApp’s First Global Partner
WhatsApp announced its first global brand partnership with Milwaukee Bucks forward and 2021 NBA All-Star MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
WhatsApp May Soon Be Rolling Out Its Android To iOS Migration Feature
Α new feature allowing users to migrate chats from Android to iOS has been spotted on both OS updates for …
WhatsApp Will Automatically Hide Your Online Status From Strangers
WhatsApp is becoming more private by showing your online status only to your existing contacts, or those you've chatted with …
