WhatsApp partners with reputed fact-checking firm to curb fake COVID-19 news and misinformation

In the mission to curb the spread of misinformation and fake news during the time of the Coronavirus outbreak, WhatsApp has been on the front end combatting this issue. As previously reported, the popular messaging app has already reduced the number of forwarded messages and has now joined hands with the International Fact-Checking Network (ICFN) to implement a system where users can find out if they're looking at fake news by just connecting with fact-checkers from the area. It’s as simple as sending out a message to these checkers. 

With the aim of connecting users on the app to fact-checkers from 70 countries around the world, IFCN released its very own WhatsApp chatbot that helps with exactly this issue. WhatsApp users will now have access to one of the better fact-checking processes out there, giving them a heads up on fake news and misinformation. As mentioned above, all users need to do is submit a claim and these fact-checkers will get on the job and tell you whether the news piece you sent in was fake or not. This goes a long, long way in helping to fight the menace of fake news. 

WhatsApp partners with IFCN to stop the spread of fake news

Since the ICFN WhatsApp bot is free to use, users need to add this number (+1 (727) 2912606) to their contact list and send a ‘Hi” message to start the process. You can also head to http://poy.nu/ifcnbot. For a more direct approach. 

It must be noted that WhatsApp has been at the forefront of the crisis as the company has now introduced call support for up to 8 people on a single video call. You can read more about that here. WhatsApp. You can also buy groceries on JioMart by using the popular messaging app. You can read more about that story here. 

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