WhatsApp Restricts Message Forwarding To Tackle Misinformation

In the current state of spreading false news on social networks, especially WhatsApp, this company has launched a new policy on message forwarding to reduce this incident. Currently, a message on WhatsApp can only be forwarded 5 times and this rule applies globally.

A message can only be forwarded to 5 chats

WhatsApp spokesman confirmed the information with Reuters that all the latest updated versions of its application only allow users to forward messages to 5 conversations. This helps users focus on private messages which come from their close acquaintances. Previously, messages on this platform were allowed to be forwarded up to 20 times.

Not only WhatsApp of Facebook but many other social networks also have to fight against the exploitation of spreading fake information. Even Twitter and Facebook have struggled to control accounts that are thought to be related to Russia and affect the results of the 2016 US presidential election.

WhatsApp is currently one of the most used messaging apps in the world, especially India. Last year, there were many incidents of violence in India and partly due to the spread of false information on this messaging platform. In Dhule, India, 5 people were illegally executed for allegedly kidnapping children according to rumors on the platform. Moreover, in similar cases, 12 other innocent people were beaten by the local people. Therefore, in July last year, the company tested the limit of message forwarding in this country.

Fake news on WhatsApp has affected the lives and physicality of many people

The company said that they reviewed the test and gathered feedback from users over a period of six months. A lot of forwarding messages have been reduced to scale all over the world after the company applied the transition limit provisions. WhatsApp said they are still collecting opinions and ideas of users to find the best solution to manage the spread of misinformation.