INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
WhatsApp steps in to fight false news in PakistanKARACHI: Just a week before the crucial elections in
groups.The issue of fake news has emerged as a new challenge for the media and governments across the world with many enacting new laws to
combat the menace.According to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, WhatsApp has more than 1.5 billion monthly active users (MAUs) who exchange
nearly 60 billion messages on a single day
In India, at least 22 people have been killed by mobs this year following fake rumours of child kidnapping and other crimes spread via
WhatsApp.Here in Pakistan too, the issue has attained importance amid the heightened political tension due to polls scheduled for July
Understand When a Message Is ForwardedThe first point of the ad talks about the new feature introduced by WhatsApp to see which messages
was shared to make you feel that way
them from some other source.4
spellings or unusual characters because it is usually a sign something's wrong.7
Use Other SourcesThe messaging app also asked its users to check if a news is being reported at multiple places
Be Thoughtful About What You ShareIf you are not sure of the source or concerned that the information may be untrue, think twice before
You Can Control What You SeeWhatsApp also reminded its users to make use of the built-in features to block any number or leave any group
viral and just because "a message is shared many times, does not make it true".
