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.



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WHO to the Rescue: WhatsApp Goes Extra Miles to Help People Overcome Fears of Coronavirus

World Health Organization (WHO) is coming up with all possible ways to provide information regarding coronavirus.

Social media platforms including Facebook and WhatsApp are try their best to spread the facts and curb the misinformation.

The struggle of distributing “authentic” content in timely manner is a real struggle, in the past WhatsApp has faced a lot of criticism for facilitating fake news.

The coronavirus that initially originated from Wuhan, China is now stated as a Global pandemic by WHO. With its horrendous outbreak, it has affected millions of people and has claimed many lives already...and it’s still spreading! Almost every country is taking quarantine and social distancing measures to combat the disease.

In these times of global social distress, people are staying at home all the time, with restaurants, bars, malls, and other recreational activities at a halt. This has prompted the extensive use of smartphones and mobile applications, social media sites taking the lead amongst them all. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp have become the major sources of communication. Recently, Facebook, YouTube, and other applications took measures to stop spreading false news, and now WhatsApp is taking responsible measures in collaboration with the World Health Organization.

On Friday, WHO launched a chat bot for WhatsApp messenger app where it provides details, precautionary measures and other authentic information regarding coronavirus. All user around the world who have Whatsapp installed on their devices can simply start conversation with bot by simply adding this number in contacts +41798931892 and sending a simple hi. This is an effective, easy and safe way to gain information and clear all the misconceptions and myths regarding this pandemic, and the virus itself!

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• Also read: Facebook suggests everybody to take social distancing seriously

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This feature will also provide answers to frequently asked questions about this virus. The Facebook-owned messaging app has launched a Coronavirus Information Center to help you stay up to date with the latest official health information.

It is one of the best steps taken by these social media infotainment sites to help share reliable information and bust the myths and all falsified claims regarding the vicious COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. People need to become more responsible in sharing news too because it is very easy to spread misinformation and propaganda nowadays through these media. This global pandemic is not a joke, as it has now infected more than 265,000 people and killed more than 11,000 globally.

Be vigilant and stay safe everyone! That is the need of the hour.



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