*ISLAMABAD – World’s popular messaging app WhatsApp has taken a full-pagenewspaper add in a local English daily apprising users ways to spot spreadof false and fake news.*
As elections are also approaching near, the Facebook-owned WhatsApp findsit appropriate to inform public, before the messaging app is manipulated tonegatively impact July 25 polls in Pakistan.
Just this month, India asked WhatsApp messenger to take steps to preventthe circulation of false texts and provocative content that have led to aseries of lynchings and mob beatings across the country in the past fewmonths.
WhatsApp is used by more than 1.5 billion people across the world and hencethe risk of fake news spreading via this messaging service is generallyvery high.[image: WhatsApp false news Pakistan]
The ad, published in the Pakistani English daily reads at the start,“Together we can fight false information” and includes 10 tips on how tospot fake messages. The tips inform readers on checking the accuracy of theinformation by looking for information from other sources and observing thephotos closely to identify whether they are photoshopped or original…”
The company says: “To fight fake news, we all need to work together –technology companies, the government, and community groups. If you seesomething that’s not true, make people aware and help stop the spread.”