WhatsApp

New WhatsApp feature enables fact-checking of forwarded messages

Victor Barreiro Jr.

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New WhatsApp feature enables fact-checking of forwarded messages

WHATSAPP. The WhatsApp messaging app is displayed on an Apple iPhone on May 14, 2019 in San Anselmo, California. Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP

AFP

Forwarded messages will now show a magnifying glass icon, and tapping on it takes users to a Google search for the forwarded content, allowing them to better determine its veracity

WhatsApp announced on Monday, August 3, it was testing a new feature that would allow users to essentially check if messages forwarded to them have factual information or not.

Forwarded messages will now show a magnifying glass icon, and tapping on it takes users to a Google search for the forwarded content, allowing them to better determine its veracity.

This new feature, called “Search the web,” uploads the message to a user’s phone browser without showing the message content to WhatsApp.

The changes follow earlier limits made to forwarded Whatsapp messages, where a viral message can be forwarded to only one new chat recipient at a time, down from 5 previously.

“Search the web is being rolled out starting today in Brazil, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, UK, and US for those on the latest versions of WhatsApp for Android, iOS and WhatsApp Web,” the company added. – Rappler.com

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Victor Barreiro Jr.

Victor Barreiro Jr is part of Rappler's Central Desk. An avid patron of role-playing games and science fiction and fantasy shows, he also yearns to do good in the world, and hopes his work with Rappler helps to increase the good that's out there.