Explainer: How not to spread misinformation via WhatsApp

WhatsApp Messenger, or simply WhatsApp, is without doubt one of the highest vehicles for the spread of misinformation globally. Owned by Facebook, Inc., the freeware, cross-platform centralised instant messaging and voice-over-IP service has taken some steps to stem the spread of misinformation. Some of these measures include the inclusion of “forwarded” label, reduction of the […]

WhatsApp Messenger, or simply WhatsApp, is without doubt one of the highest vehicles for the spread of misinformation globally.

Owned by Facebook, Inc., the freeware, cross-platform centralised instant messaging and voice-over-IP service has taken some steps to stem the spread of misinformation.

Some of these measures include the inclusion of “forwarded” label, reduction of the number of times a single user can forward messages and the inclusion of an online verification button for messages forwarded many times.

WhatsApp Help Centre has outlined some ways in which a WhatApp user can prevent spreading misinformation:

Learn about the forwarded message labels

Messages with the “Forwarded” label help you determine if your friend or family wrote the message or if it originally came from someone else. When a message is forwarded through a chain of five or more chats, meaning it is at least five forwards away from its original sender, a double arrow icon and the “Forwarded many times” label will be displayed. If you are not sure who wrote the original message, double check the facts.

Check your biases

Watch out for information that confirms your pre-existing beliefs; review the facts yourself before sharing information. Stories that seem hard to believe are often untrue.

Fact-check information with other sources

Fake news often goes viral, and photos, audio recordings, and videos can be edited to mislead you. Even if a message is shared many times, this does not make it true. If you receive information that is fake, inform the sender that they sent you incorrect information and recommend they verify messages before sharing them.

If you are unsure whether a message is true, we recommend checking trusted news sites to see where the story came from. When a story is reported in multiple places and from trustworthy sources, it is more likely to be true. You can consult fact-checkers, or people you trust, for more information.

Look out for messages that look different

Many unwanted messages and links that you might receive have spelling or grammar mistakes, or ask you to share personal information. Messages riddled with spelling and grammar mistakes are likely to be misinformation. Verify such messages to avoid spreading misinformation.