Govt talks to FB, Google, WhatsApp for virus info blitz

The government has roped in technology company Google and instant messaging platform WhatsApp, and is in talks with Facebook to run massive information outreach campaigns to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, three government officials told ET.

The US-based search giant will send close to 300 million notifications a day to users containing information on the pandemic, a senior official said. The government has also launched a Chatbot on Corona on Whatsapp called MyGov Corona Helpdesk. Saying Hi on WhatsApp to 9013151515 will get automated response on queries related to Corona, a government official told ET.