Whatsapp Limits Message Forwarding to Combat Hoaxes
Communication and Informatics Minister Rudiantara meets with Vice President for Public Policy and Communications of WhatsApp, Victoria Grand, at the Office of Ministry of Communication and Informatics, Jakarta, Monday (21/1). (Photo: PR of Ministry of Communication and Informatics)
Minister of Communication and Informatics Rudiantara had a meeting with Vice President for Public Policy and Communications of WhatsApp, Victoria Grand, to discuss efforts in reducing the spread of hoaxes in the most popular instant messaging application.
In a press release on Monday (21/1), Rudiantara stated that the efforts have become a global concern and the World Global Influencer Leaders from four countries, including Indonesia, have discussed it with the Facebook-owned company.
Whatsapp, which currently has 1,5 billion users worldwide, decided to limit the ability to forward messages to multiple chats at once, in hopes that it will reduce the spread of hoaxes and fake news that have grown massively in most countries, including Indonesia. Previously, users could forward messages to up to 20 recipients, but now it is limited to only five.
The decision has been discussed since the third quarter of 2018 while beta test of the feature has been carried out since two months ago.
This feature will take effect starting from 22 January 2019 at 12.00 p.m. Western Indonesia Time and only applies to Android users, whereas for OS users it is still in the development process said the Minister, adding that he appreciated the Whatsapps steps to combat the spread of negative content on its platform. (ICE)
Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Edited by: Mia Medyana
