Facebook Messenger Puts A Limit To The Number of Threads For Forwarding A Message; Aims To Stop Misinformation Regarding Coronavirus

As the coronavirus outbreak has caused numerous amount of challenges for the technology-oriented companies around the globe, the situation hasn’t been any different for Facebook as well.

The social media giant is facing its biggest battle of fighting against misinformation that is being spread rapidly across the platform on an everyday basis. But the steps that the company is taking rapidly to prevent unnecessary panic might soon get them their reputation back in the eyes of people.

According to the recent developments, as caught by the famous reverse engineer Jane Manchun Wong, Facebook has tweaked its Messenger app by limiting the number of people you can forward a message to at a single time. This is done specifically to add frictions in the way users around the globe are spreading misinformation almost every other hour.

In a GIF shared by Jane, one can see the user trying to send a “test message” to a number of threads but as soon as she ticks of five people in her friend list, Facebook warns about the limit with a pop-up notification. Hence, that means even if a user wants to send a piece of misinformation to others, Facebook won’t allow him to forward it to more than 5 friends or groups now.

We're working hard to limit the spread of misinfo on our platforms, especially with #COVID19, and we’re exploring more options like testing stricter limits for how many chats you can fwd a message to at one time. This feature is still in development and not testing externally yet https://t.co/6ukn1TmSLi

— Alexandru Voica (@alexvoica) March 22, 2020

Facebook has adopted this approach from Whatsapp as they first tried the technique of limiting the number of people you can forward a message to in everyone’s top favorite chatting app and eventually the experiment also resulted into a significant decline in misinformation being spread.

Coronavirus has put the health of millions around the world at risk and with that, the markets are also on their knees. This is the time when the world needs Facebook’s help and fortunately, the company is constantly delivering whatever is possible by collaborating with governments, emergency response organizations and small businesses, along with easing up the pressure for its employees and users as well.

While misinformation creates panic which can be more dangerous than the coronavirus itself for so many populations, let’s hope Facebook’s attempt to put a break to all the wrong messages work!

Read next: Coronavirus is Impacting the Social Media Ads We See

Fighting Fake News: WhatsApp introduces a search feature to let users Google the content of forwarded messages

In the days of the pandemic coronavirus, WhatsApp is testing a feature that would provide ground to their 2 billion users to verify the information they received.

Facebook owned application has been testing this feature since last year to make the platform more authentic and reliable. WhatsApp informed media outlets that the feature will be rolled out soon to empower all users. By leveraging this feature users could quickly search the body of forwarded messages in Google, this will help them check whether the information is fake or correct. This feature is currently available to only Whatsapp beta testers.

Currently, Whatsapp is being used to inform and circulate the content about coronavirus crisis.

Therefore, WhatsApp approached government of different countries last month to use its platform to inform the public.

Recently, World Health Organization has joined WhatsApp to provide authentic information about the virus to masses. The WhatsApp stated that it is the official NGO to use messaging app to spread awareness. The app further stated that Singaporean government, Health department of South Africa, Health Ministry of Israel and Indonesia's KOMFINO also joined the application to inform their citizens as fast as possible.

Moreover, India Health Department has used the services of the social media to spread awareness in the country to halt the spread of the virus.

However, the application has been trying since 2019 to fight against misinformation.

WhatsApp is now the need of the world. Therefore, it is important to introduce the important fact-checking features as soon as possible otherwise people would be misinformed which could cost the lives of humans or would result in snatching away of their right to know the truth. WhatsApp is the most used messaging app around the world. Therefore, it is important for this platform to be authentic and true information provider.



Read next: WhatsApp planning to launch self-destructing messaging feature

Google launches website and tools dedicated to COVID-19

The outbreak of coronavirus has created a panic situation all over the globe. While citizens are strictly advised to stay home by government officials, health authorities are crumbling under the weight of growing diagnoses.

In these crucial times, various organizations are lending a helping hand in their community by rationing groceries, providing educational and entertainment materials, donating blood and simply reaching out with emotional support.

Tech companies including Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Twitter are also doing their part during the pandemic and preventing misinformation from spreading on their platforms through different protocols. They are also highlighting relevant information regarding the illness to keep the visitors updated.

And now Google has introduced a dedicated website that would include comprehensive information about the coronavirus.

Coronavirus is a type of respiratory illness that was first ‘identified’ in the Wuhan district of China, in December 2019. Since then, the contagious disease has spread like wildfire with over 284,000 diagnoses and 11,000 + deaths globally.

To help the users, reach medical safety in a timely manner, Google has launched its ‘Information and Resource Website.’ Apart from general information such as symptoms, prevention, and statistics regarding the disease, the website will include directions to the health departments and access to test results.

The page also includes a ‘resources’ page with the help of YouTube which will consist of videos on various topics such as stay at home tips, family activities, meditation guide, recipes, and indoor exercises.

---

• Also read: YouTube Will Start Displaying Trustworthy Coronavirus Related Videos On Its Homepage

---

Google also plans to add more information as they become available. In their statement, the search giant said that coronavirus is the most searched topic globally and the company wants to ensure that the worldwide population stays updated with the correct information.



Alongside the website, Google has added a COVID-19 warning message to all medical-related queries on Maps. The message is brief but directs the individuals to call their doctor before visiting the specific COVID-19 office if they suspect of being infected with the coronavirus.

Has anybody else seen this Google Maps COVID-19 alert? pic.twitter.com/5DKtLOjP2T

— Roei Eisenberg (@roeiwrites) March 20, 2020

Read next: Facebook suggests its users to take social distancing measures responsibly