• The app has a new magnifying glass button to search directly on Google to check the information on the forwarded message;
• The feature is part of Facebook’s efforts against the spread of misleading content;
• In Latin America, it is being rolled out in Brazil and Mexico.

WhatsApp‘s updated version is allowing messages forwarded on the app to be fact-checked, as part of Facebook‘s efforts against the spread of misleading content.

The app displays a new magnifying glass button to search directly on the web and check the information on the forwarded message. “Earlier this year, we set limits on how many times they can be sent at once to maintain the private nature of WhatsApp. Today, we’re piloting a simple way to double check these messages by tapping a magnifying glass button in the chat. Providing a simple way to search messages that have been forwarded many times may help people find news results or other sources of information about content they have received”, said WhatsApp in a blog post.

READ ALSO: Whatsapp’s recent restriction on message forwards cuts virality by 70%

The Search the Web feature is being rolled out in Brazil, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, UK, and US for those on the latest versions of WhatsApp for Android, iOS and WhatsApp Web.