The popular messaging service WhatsApp launched new Measures against fake news, mainly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new protective measures already seem to have helped.
The spread of misinformation has increased significantly in times of COVID-19. In view of this fact, WhatsApp forced to introduce new measures. As a result, the forwarding function was revised. Now the messaging service has commented on this to TechCrunch. The report:
Fake news about COVID-19 already legendary
We recently introduced a limit on sharing 'highly forwarded messages' to just one chat. Since introducing this new limit, the number of highly forwarded messages sent on WhatsApp has decreased by 70% globally," a WhatsApp spokesperson told TechCrunch in a statement.
"This change helps preserve WhatsApp as a place for personal and private conversations. WhatsApp is committed to doing its part to combat viral messages," the spokesperson said.
The fake news about COVID-19 is already legendary. Everything from fake cures and questionable healing practices to wild conspiracy theories is there. Most recently, for example, the 5G mobile communications standard was criticized, although it is said to be responsible for the pandemic - utter nonsense. This theory led to a group of people setting fire to around 20 5G transmission masts in Great Britain. (Photo by vetre / Bigstockphoto)
