WhatsApp limits forwarding messages to only one chat at a time

The world’s largest instant messaging application WhatsApp on Tuesday announced a new feature to stem the flow of misinformation around coronavirus (covid-19). The new feature will stop users from forwarding viral messages to multiple users.

A user will now be able to forward messages to only one chat at a time. The limit will kick in once a message has been forwarded on the platform five times, after which, a message can be forwarded to either one WhatsApp group or an individual at a time.

Though the feature is being rolled out to curb coronavirus-related rumours through the platform, it will stay permanently. WhatsApp had introduced a feature last year that highlighted forwarded messages by adding a distinct “forwarded” label with two arrows. The app later limited forwarding to five chats at a time, which led to a 25% decrease in message forwarding on the platform globally.