How Whatsapp is changing its forwarding function
Facebook-owned messaging service introducing stricter limits to fight ‘infodemic’ of misleading medical advice
WhatsApp is striking back against fake news by imposing a new limit on how many times a viral message can be forwarded on the platform.
The move is aimed at tackling the growing number of messages on the Facebook-owned app that offer erroneous medical advice about the Covid-19 coronavirus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of an “infodemic” of misinformation relating to bogus cures for the virus, which has killed more than 83,000 people worldwide, reports The Telegraph.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Under the new WhatsApp limits, if a user receives a message that has been forwarded more than five times, they will only be able to send it on to a single chat at a time.
“That is one fifth the previous limit of five chats, imposed in 2019,” says The Guardian.
In a blog post published on Tuesday, WhatsApp said the service has “taken several steps over the years to help keep conversations intimate”.
“Is all forwarding bad? Certainly not,” the post adds, pointing to the use of the platform to share funny memes and to organise public support for various causes.
However, WhatsApp has “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”, the statement continues, adding: “We believe it’s important to slow the spread of these messages down to keep WhatsApp a place for personal conversation.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
The Guardian says that by inserting “friction” into the process of sharing viral misinformation, the messaging service “hopes to slow some of the most viral messages on its platform, such as the widely spread falsehood that coronavirus is related to 5G” - a claim that has led to the vandalisation of more than 20 UK phone masts in less than a week.
The London Evening Standard adds that WhatsApp is “also testing ways to include more information about these viral messages”.
“One idea is that a little magnifying glass icon will be display next to frequently forwarded messages which will give users the option to see news stories and information resources relating to that particular message,” the newspaper says.
“This feature is currently in testing though, so won’t be available on your app just yet.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
How safe are cruise ships in storms?
The Explainer The vessels are always prepared
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Did the Covid virus leak from a lab?
The Explainer Once dismissed as a conspiracy theory, the idea that Covid-19 originated in a virology lab in Wuhan now has many adherents
By The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published