WhatsApp Launches ‘Check the Facts’ Campaign to Counter Misinformation

• ByStartupStory     |    November 21, 2023

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, launches ‘Check the Facts’ campaign to combat misinformation. The initiative aims to enhance user awareness of safety features and promote best digital practices to curb the spread of false information.

During this month-long campaign, WhatsApp highlights its built-in safety tools like block and report options, as well as forward labels. These features empower users to identify and halt the dissemination of misinformation. Additionally, the initiative encourages users to verify suspicious information through fact-checking organizations available on WhatsApp Channels.

Recognizing forwarded messages is crucial in identifying potential misinformation. WhatsApp’s distinctive label for forwarded messages and limitations on multiple forwards prompt users to reconsider before sharing. Messages with “forwarded labels” can be shared with up to five chats or one group at a time, while those labeled “forwarded many times” can only be sent to one chat at a time.

The platform also emphasizes the importance of blocking and reporting suspicious accounts. Users can easily block accounts and report problematic messages, particularly those spreading misinformation. WhatsApp provides additional details, such as common groups, for messages received from unknown senders, with further safety tools available if needed.

In efforts to promote accuracy, WhatsApp collaborates with independent fact-checking organizations across various languages, particularly in India. Users can follow these organizations on WhatsApp Channels to access verified updates and combat the spread of false information effectively. Organizations such as Boom Fact-Check, Fact Crescendo, and India Today Fact-Check are among those available on the platform.

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