In an effort to curb the spread of fake news that can lead to violent events WhatsApp is rolling out a new forwarded messages limit. This limit comes following a series of violent lynchings triggered by the spread of false information through WhatsApp. In the wake of this event, the messaging app implemented a feature that flags messages as forwarded and places a messages limit on these posts. The hope is that this feature will stop mass messaging leading to mass hysteria and further violent incidents.
In its current state the forwarded messages limit restricts users from sharing an identical message to more than 20 chats at once, but in India this will be limited to just five chats. Additionally, India will no longer have access to the "quick forward" button within WhatApp's service.
Mobile Message-Limiting Features
WhatsApp Now Has a Forwarded Messages Limit
Trend Themes
1. Fake News Prevention - Opportunity for businesses to create tools and technologies that can identify and prevent the spread of fake news on messaging apps.
2. Message Forwarding Limitations - Opportunity for businesses to create message forwarding limitation features in messaging apps that can prevent mass messaging leading to mass hysteria.
3. Risk Prevention Features - Opportunity for businesses to create risk prevention features on messaging apps that can identify and prevent violent events that can be caused by the spread of false information.
Industry Implications
1. Social Media - Opportunity for social media giants to innovate and create new features and tools that can prevent the spread of fake news and violent events on their platforms.
2. Messaging Apps - Opportunity for messaging app developers to create innovative features that can prevent mass messaging leading to mass hysteria and the spread of false information that can lead to violent events.
3. Technology - Opportunities for the technology sector to develop tools and technologies that can identify and prevent the spread of fake news and prevent violent events caused by the spread of false information through messaging apps.