COVID-19: WhatsApp announces information hub, donates $1mn for fact checking

NEW DELHI: Instant messaging platform WhatsApp on Wednesday announced two initiatives to stem the flow of misinformation around the COVID-19 pandemic which has spread to 150 countries.

The company announced a $1 million donation to the Poynter Institute’s International Fact-Checking Network and a partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub (whatsapp.com/coronavirus).

The hub will have information on how health workers, educators, among others, can use WhatsApp for Business to connect with users and help provide directions to deal with various aspects of the outbreak.