Whatsapp Lists Steps To Block Canards: 5 Things You Need To Know

In the past year, there have been nearly 30 plus cases where people were killed by the public which was triggered by the rumours forwarded to them by WhatsApp. The messages revolved around with the rumours of child lifting, thieves, and sexual predators. 

Seeing the present scenario and the chaos that such practise can bring and the government’s questioning, WhatsApp has and will soon launch some more new features in order to provide safety to its users.

In light of the present context, a WhatsApp spokesperson said, "WhatsApp cares deeply about the safety of our users. Through this new project, we look forward to working with leading academic experts in India to learn more about how online platforms are used to spread misinformation." "This local research will help us build upon recent changes we have made within WhatsApp and support broad education to help people spot false news and hoaxes," he adds.

Educating its Users

WhatsApp is soon going to publish certain educational materials and also conducting news literacy workshops in order to aware and educate its users to make out the difference between misinformation and information.

The previous week, a new setting was also launched which enabled the admins to decide who can send messages within individual groups, thinking about the fact that could avoid the spread of unwanted messages and forwarding of Hoaxes.

Collaboration with Experts 

WhatsApp had recently announced its new project which will make it possible for WhatsApp to collaborate with academic experts in India, making possible the efforts in recognizing and blocking the wrong-minded and also learning more about the spread of misinformation.

Presently, Whatsapp is having partnership with Brazil and Mexico’s News Organizations, which will be helpful to counter check the news reports and also verify with the facts.

Fidelity with Enforcement Officials

WhatsApp will also collaborate with the Enforcement Officials all over the country so they become aware of the appropriate approach and render help to WhatsApp in avoiding unwanted practices. 

An example of Hyderabad’s Police was shared by a WhatsApp report, sharing that the police created a WhatsApp account where anybody can share the hoaxes that could be any concern, the working police officials can then make out its authenticity and then forward the right information back to users, thereby saving many lives.

Launching New Feature Soon, Forwarded Vs. Self-Composed!

WhatsApp is also working and planning to soon launch another feature which would make it possible for its users to individuate between the messages that are composed by the sender with the ones forwarded.

This will help the users to think and decide whether to believe in the message since it is from a reliable source or to ignore the forwarded message which might be a potential bruit from somebody unknown. The recipients will also have to think before forwarding the message.

Creating Unrestricted Awards for Research Proposals

The new WhatsApp programme will be creating awards up to $50,000 per research proposal. WhatsApp has said that it is looking forward for proposals from people of any social science or a related discipline that “foster insights into the impact of technology on contemporary society”. 

WhatsApp said, “WhatsApp cares about the safety of our users and is seeking to inform our understanding of the safety problems people encounter on WhatsApp and what more we can do within WhatsApp and in partnership with civil society to address the problem.”