In a time where forwarded messages on WhatsApp are turning out to be fake and are scrutinized more than ever. WhatsApp has brought out a new feature in the mix as a solution to this issue. In the COVID-19 pandemic, the spread of fake news has been increasing. This new feature called ‘ search the web’ by the Facebook-owned company will help keep a check on misinformation.
One can tap on the magnifying glass icon located next to the message that has been forwarded many times. Some time ago, WhatsApp put a limit on the number of times a single forwarded message shared at one go.
Consequently, with the ‘Search the web’ feature’s rollout, WhatsApp will let users check the authenticity of the forwarded message to avoid being ill-informed stated by the company.
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How to use and where it is available
Tapping the magnifying glass icon searches for the message’s contents online. Additionally, with the idea being that this should reveal any common conspiracy theories or misinformation the message contains.
However, this new feature is rolled out in Brazil, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, the UK, and the US for users that have the latest version of WhatsApp on Android, iPhone, and WhatsApp Web.
“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 the content they have received,” said WhatsApp on a blog post.
Sushmita Choubey
Marketer to the core, a writer from the soul. Engineer and an MBA turned budding tech writer - dabbling her hands in all genres of writing from tech to fiction. If not writing, you will always find me reading anything and everything. Otherwise, you will find me learning new languages.