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Whatsapp Allows Only 5 Forward Messages Per User; Can This Stop Fake News in India?

Whatsapp will limit forward messages in India

This is in a way truly incredible step, never seen before.

In order to stop the spam and fake news in India, Whatsapp has introduced a major change which will affect everyone in India.

If you love forwarding messages, then this is not a good news for you!

Forward Messages Limited!

In a blog post, Whatsapp has announced that from now, users will be allowed to forward only 5 messages – This can be forwarded to 5 groups, or 5 users.

This new rule of banning forward messages is right now being tested, and shall be available to all users very soon. It is not clear whether the users will be asked to download the latest version or the update would be automatically rolled out.

Besides, the quick forward option will be also removed.

While announcing this new measure, Whatsapp has informed that Indians forward most number of messages, anywhere in the world.

Whatsapp said, “Today, we’re launching a test to limit forwarding that will apply to everyone using WhatsApp. In India – where people forward more messages, photos, and videos than any other country in the world – we’ll also test a lower limit of 5 chats at once and we’ll remove the quick forward button next to media messages.”

In other parts of the globe too, Whatsapp has introduced this feature to limit forwards –  it is 20 for others, but in India, it is only 5.

Govt. May Sue Whatsapp Over Mob Lynching

The decision to limit forwarded messages comes after Indian Govt. threatened to sue Whatsapp, over mob lynching.

In a fresh notice to Whatsapp by the Law Ministry, it has been said that if Whatsapp “remains mute spectator” on this issue, then “they are liable to be treated as abettors and thereafter face consequent legal action.”

In the last few months, we have seen how fake messages circulated on Whatsapp creates panic, and innocent people are being lynched by blinded mobs, believing everything they read on Whatsapp.

After stern warnings and threats from the Govt., Whatsapp announced several measures to curb this menace. Labeling forwarded messages, internal tool to detect spam links, grant of $50,000 for social scientists were some of the prominent measures announced in the last few days.

Now, they have decided to limit forward messages and hopefully, this will stop the killings.

Do you think that limiting forwarded messages will work? Do let us know by commenting right here.

Mohul Ghosh: Mohul keenly observes the nuances of Indian startup world; and tries to demystify the secrets behind Technology, Marketing, Mobile and Internet. He is a Writer by passion, Marketer by choice and Entrepreneur by compulsion. Follow him on Twitter here: @_mohul
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