WhatsApp may launch Facebook like most exciting feature for users across the World
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ISLAMABAD - WhatsApp may launch Facebook like most exciting feature for users across the World
Adding a simple "button" to express doubt in reference to claims made on WhatsApp posts, or enabling users to easily flag statements as problematic, unreliable, or groundless may help the platform cut the spread of misinformation, suggest the results of an India-focused study.
"Similar to the 'like' functions that exist on other platforms, it would be technically very easy for WhatsApp to add 'red flag' or '?' emoji buttons that users can easily click on next to contentious posts," said the study by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Leiden University, IE University, IANS has reported.
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"Such a strategy would be entirely compatible with the encrypted nature of the platform, as 'red flags' need not be reported or investigated by the platform, but merely used to communicate to other users that a variety of opinions exist among participants to the thread," it added.
Countering the spread of misinformation among Indian users of the Facebook-owned platform is a huge challenge as WhatsApp cannot see the content of the messages due to the end-to-end encryption feature which allows only the sender and receiver of the messages to view the content.
WhatsApp's efforts to reduce the spread of fake news has included limiting of the number of forwards to five, besides other measures such as running awareness campaigns on dangers of fake news on various platforms.
