- The new restriction was launched globally to the app’s 2 billion users on April 7;
- “There has been a 70% reduction in the number of highly forwarded messages sent on WhatsApp,” a spokesperson stated to TechCrunch.
Facebook’s messaging app Whatsapp has announced earlier this month its efforts to fight the spread of misinformation by implementing a new limit on how often a message could be forwarded on the platform.
“We recently introduced a limit to sharing ‘highly forwarded messages’ to just one chat. Since putting into place this new limit, globally there has been a 70% reduction in the number of highly forwarded messages sent on WhatsApp,” a WhatsApp spokesperson stated to TechCrunch this Monday, 27.
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The new restriction, that now allows users to share often forwarded messages they receive to only one person or group at a time, was launched globally to the app’s 2 billion users on April 7. “This change is helping keep WhatsApp a place for personal and private conversations. WhatsApp is committed to doing our part to tackle viral messages,” the spokesperson told the media outlet.
Particularly at the moment, the cut down on forwards might help the social media platform relieve the scrutiny it is receiving in many countries regarding misinformation. India, its biggest market, has recently asked WhatsApp to improve the control over viral false messages on its platform about the coronavirus infection and treatments.
