WhatsApp launches 'Check the Facts' campaign against misinformation

WhatsApp has launched an integrated safety campaign ‘Check the Facts’ in an effort to drive user-awareness around WhatsApp’s safety features and promote digital best practices that help prevent the spread of misinformation on the platform and empower people to take control of their messaging experience.

The month-long campaign highlights WhatsApp’s in-built product features and safety tools like block and report, forward labels that equip users to spot misinformation and prevent its spread further, and encourages people to verify information that sounds suspicious or inaccurate via fact-checking organizations on WhatsApp Channels. More details on the safety campaign can be found here: https://blog.whatsapp.com/check-the-facts 

While there is no single action that can help prevent the spread of misinformation and fake news online, WhatsApp’s ‘Check the Facts’ campaign serves as a simple safety guide to fight misinformation. 

1. Understand when a message is forwarded

WhatsApp has created a label for all forwarded messages and limits the number of times you can forward messages as a way to encourage users to reconsider before sharing. Paying careful attention to messages with “forward labels” also helps slow down the spread of rumours, viral messages, and fake news. For example, if a message has a double arrow icon and is labeled “forwarded many times,” it can only be forwarded to one chat at a time. If a message has a "forwarded label" you can forward it to up to five chats and only one group at a time. 

2. Block and report suspicious accounts

WhatsApp provides a simple way for users to block accounts and make reports to WhatsApp if they encounter problematic messages, including those spreading misinformation. If you receive a message from an unknown sender, WhatsApp provides users the option to block them, with additional details such as groups in common, along with safety tools if you need to take action.

3. Follow fact-checking organizations on WhatsApp Channels to receive accurate information

WhatsApp encourages users to double-check information that sounds suspicious or inaccurate – this is key to preventing the spread of misinformation. WhatsApp has partnered with 10 independent fact-checking organizations in India that help users to verify information in 13 languages. People can follow dedicated fact-checking organizations on WhatsApp Channels to receive verified and accurate updates. The fact-checking channels available include: 

1. Boom Fact-Check
2. Fact Crescendo 
3. Factly     
4. India Today Fact Check 
5. Newschecker 
6. NewsMobile 
7. Webqoof 
8. The Healthy Indian Project 
9. Vishvas News 
10. NewsMeter FactCheck