Fake News Alert: Has WhatsApp Warned Users To Remove Their Display Pictures As ISIS Intends To Misuse It?
A message circulated on WhatsApp claiming that WhatsApp's CEO asked users to remove their display pictures. The message also claimed that ISIS intends to misuse the profile images of the users for terror activities. The message was signed by AK Mittal, designated as Commissioner of Delhi and an IAS officer. The mobile number was also given below the message, apparently of AK Mittal.
The message also quoted that "WhatsApp CEO asks its users to remove the profile picture for the next 20-25 days." It added, "WhatsApp engineers will keep you safe and will cooperate with you."
What is the truth?
The fact check revealed that the message is fake. WhatsApp's CEO has not made any such statement and Delhi never had any commissioner by the name of AK Mittal.
How did we verify?
We searched AK Mittal on Google and found that such messages were circulated on social media in 2016 as well. Here as some examples:
We searched the contact number mentioned below the message, apparently that of AK Mittal.
Truecaller suggested that the number was reported as spam by 2,327 users. The number was displayed by the name of Arshad Ali. We tried calling the number to verify the contact but it wasn't reachable.
We also checked the list of police commissioners who have served Delhi so far and found that there is no mention of AK Mittal.
Also, there wasn't any statement by Whatsapp CEO on ISIS having any access to user's data.
This is how we found out that the message is fake.
