Software
WhatsApp adds search function for users to disrupt viral messages
WhatsApp has announced that it is piloting a new feature that enables users to rapidly search viral content for factory misinformation. A lupus icon will be displayed next to messages sent via a chain of 5 or more people starting today. Taping for online content of the message, the idea being that it should reveal any theories or misinformation contained in the message.
The screenshot shows a viral message which says "drinking fresh boiled garlic water will cure COVID-19," used in the feature released by WhatsApp.
Three websites that flag the claim as false are created by a web-based search. Back in March, CNN reported that the Facebook owned Messaging service had a problem with medical misinformation.
Facebook's attempts to control misinformation on the WhatsApp are complicated by the end-to - end encryption of the service, which prevents it from seeing all messages sent to the service. With the new search function, WhatsApp offers users the ability to pro-actively scan information for common conspiracy theories instead of the business itself.
WhatsApp tells the user to send any message to his browser directly unless whatsApp sees the message itself.
This is the latest action introduced by WhatsApp to try to stop disinformation spreading on the platform. In April, the transmission of viral messages was subject to new limits. After the changes, only one more person can receive viral messages down from the previous limit of five. WhatsApp subsequently said that the measure cut the propagation of viral messages by 70%, although the amount of such messages containing misinformation is not clear.
The new search is now being launched in Brasil, Italy , Ireland, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States on iOS , Android and Web.
