WhatsApp puts limit on forwards to curb viral misinformation

Digbijay.Mishra@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:08.04.2020

Popular messaging platform WhatsApp said it has now put new restrictions to forward messages to just one person or group amid rising cases of misinformation around coronavirus. The Facebook-owned messaging platform said the limit kicks in once a message has been previously forwarded 5timesor more.

WhatsApp, which has 400 million users in India--its largest market, has one of the strongest viral effects in terms of messages or videos quickly reaching a score of people in India. People aware of the company’s plans said this has been in the works for a few months and it now has implemented it globally, when people are spending more time on the app and are often receiving information related to coronavirusthatis not verified.

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