WhatsApp Limits Users to Five Text Forwards to Curb Rumors

Facebook Inc’s WhatsApp is set to limit the number of times one can forward a message, to a maximum of five times, in the World.

The new limit is set to take effect beginning 28^th January 2018 and is aimed at curbing misinformation and rumors according to the company executives.

WhatsApp currently allows users to exchange messages, photos, and videos beyond the oversight of independent fact checkers.

WhatsApp’s head of communications Carl Woog told Reuters that the App will roll out an update to activate the new forward limit, starting on Monday.

Devices running on Google’s Android system will receive the update first and then followed by users of Apple Inc’s iOS.

WhatsApp users could previously forward a message to 20 individuals or groups. The limiting measure was first rolled out in India in July 2018 after the spread of rumors on social media platforms led to killings.

“We’re imposing a limit of five messages all over the world as of today,” Victoria Grand, WhatsApp vice president for policy and communications spoke at an event in Indonesia.

WhatsApp, which has around 1.5 billion users, has been trying to find ways to stop misuse of the app, following global concern that the platform was being used to spread fake news, manipulated photos, videos without context, and audio hoaxes, with no way to monitor their origin or full reach.