From now on WhatsApp limits sharing of frequently forwarded messages

To tackle the spread of misinformation on its platform, WhatsApp has now put a limit on the sharing of frequently forwarded messages to only one chat at a time.

The decision has come at a time when misinformation around Covid-19 has been spreading fast. Recently, Bytedance-owned TikTok also faced some heat from users and the media for videos emphasised that a particular religion can’t be affected by the deadly virus. 

A WhatsApp official said in a statement, “We wanted to highlight a feature change that WhatsApp is rolling out today to slow the spread of misinformation. Today we are announcing a new limit so frequently forwarded messages can only be forwarded to one chat at a time. This limit kicks in once a message has been previously forwarded five times or more. Double-checking these messages before forwarding may help reduce the spread of rumors. This feature is currently in testing and we’ll keep you updated on next steps.”

WhatsApp has also said that it is working with NGOs and governments, including the World Health Organization and over 20 national health ministries, to help connect people with accurate information around Covid-19.

The latest beta version of the app has a feature now which allows users to look for more information via a magnifying glass icon next to the frequently forwarded messages. This will allow them to check for the veracity or authenticity of the shared message from other sources, enabling the user to make a choice of not forwarding such messages in turn.