WhatsApp launches ‘check it before you share it’ initiative in India to fight fake news

WhatsApp recently launched a chatbot to create awareness as well as fight misinformation about coronavirus pandemic. Called MyGov Corona Helpdesk, it has been launched in association with the central government. Available to all WhatsApp users, all that a user needs to do is to save the number — 9013151515 — in his/her contact list and send a message to the MyGov Corona Helpdesk.
Taking this further ahead, WhatsApp has launched a new campaign to encourage people to use this resource. In addition, it is updating its multi-year campaign to address rumours with a new campaign called “Check it before you share it”.
This campaign aims to create awareness among WhatsApp users that it is the responsibility of everyone to double check the facts before forwarding messages to flatten the misinformation curve. It endeavours to inculcate behaviour that urges users to gain more information about the messages they receive through any of the many ways, like reaching out to the MyGov helpline to receive crucial updates or searching the web.