WhatsApp application has imposed new restrictions on forwarded messages in an effort to suppress misinformation about the corona virus. Users can now forward certain messages to only one conversation at a time, which was previously limited to five times forward.
The rules apply to messages that have been forwarded several times, which are marked by WhatsApp with two arrows, since Tuesday, April 7, 2020. "This is intended to slow down messages that are passed on viruses that overwhelm users and contribute to the dissemination of incorrect information," reads a statement WhatsApp on the Blog page.
Facebook's messaging application claims to have seen a surge in message forwarding in the middle of the corona virus pandemic. "We believe it is important to slow down the spread of these messages so that WhatsApp remains a place for private conversation," WhatsApp said.
Quoting the New York Post page on Tuesday, WhatsApp has been trying to limit the feature forward since 2018, when viral messages were reported and linked to a series of violence in India. More recently the application has also fought against the circulation of false corona virus information, such as claims that hot liquids will eliminate viruses, and others.
WhatsApp's parent company, Facebook, has taken the same aggressive attitude towards misinformation about the corona virus. The social media giant promised to remove content that spread conspiracy theories about the virus.
WhatsApp also said it was working with authorities such as the World Health Organization (WHO) to help people get accurate information during the corona virus crisis. Users can also send suspicious messages to an independent fact checker.
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