Reduction on times a message can be forwarded
WhatsApp is limiting the amount of times a message can be forwarded in order to reduce the spread of ‘misinformation’.
The app is reducing the amount of times a message can be shared from five to just one person or group at a time.
WhatsApp says it will reduce the spread of viral messages and potentially harmful misinformation.
It’s not limiting all information being forwarded and says users can still share funny videos, memes, reflections or prayers.
In a statement WhatsApp says:
"With billions of people unable to see their friends and family in person due to COVID-19, people are relying on WhatsApp more than ever to communicate."
"People are talking to doctors, teachers, and isolated loved ones via WhatsApp during this crisis."
"That’s why all your messages and calls on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted."
"As a private messaging service, we’ve taken several steps over the years to help keep conversations intimate."
"For example, we previously set limits on forwarded messages to constrain virality, which led to a 25% decrease in message forwards globally at the time."
"We know many users forward helpful information, as well as funny videos, memes, and reflections or prayers they find meaningful."
"In recent weeks, people have also used WhatsApp to organize public moments of support for frontline health workers."
"However, we’ve seen a significant increase in the amount of forwarding."
New measures
WhatsApp says:
"We believe it’s important to slow the spread of these messages down to keep WhatsApp a place for personal conversation."
"In addition to this change, we are working directly with NGOs and governments."
"Including the World Health Organization and over 20 national health ministries, to help connect people with accurate information."
"Together these trusted authorities have sent hundreds of millions of messages directly to people requesting information and advice."
"You can learn more about these efforts, as well as how to submit potential myths, hoaxes and rumours to fact checking organizations, on our Coronavirus Information Hub."
"We believe that now more than ever people need to be able to connect privately."
"Our teams are hard at work to keep WhatsApp running reliably during this unprecedented global crisis."
"We’ll continue to listen to your feedback and improve ways for people to share with each other on WhatsApp."
