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To avoid increasing fake news on WhatsApp, you have to take special care of some things. Let us know what should be done to stop fake news.

WhatsApp Fake News Tips: Recently a big decision has been taken regarding forward messages on instant messaging app WhatsApp. Just a few days ago, Tezzbuzz High Court, while giving a big relief to a government employee, had said that the state government cannot take any action on political messages forwarded on WhatsApp group. In such a situation, a big question arises that if action is not taken against wrong forward messages, then the spread of fake news among people will increase rapidly.

What could be the harm of this decision on WhatsApp: Many people forward messages on WhatsApp so that they can reach as many people as possible. It has been observed that many of these messages are fake and are forwarded to create wrong sentiments among the people. For this reason, Forwarded Many Times is also written on the forward message so that it can be known that it has been forwarded many times. Also, a message can be forwarded to only 5 people at a time.

If someone is sending messages on WhatsApp to incite wrong sentiments or riots and the government is not taking action against him, then it would be encouraging that person. The court said that forwarding any message in the WhatsApp group does not come under any provision of Rule 3(1)(i) and (iii) of 1965. If a person forwards a message in a WhatsApp group, then it is his personal opinion which can be in any form. This message remains limited to that group only. It is not made public.

However, it is not so. If riots are breaking out due to someone’s personal opinion then it should be the responsibility of the government to take action against it. Because the person present in the group can provoke people by misusing that forward message. Well, the court has given its decision and no more information has been revealed yet. But it is our responsibility to stop the spread of fake news on WhatsApp and stay away from it. Let us know how this can be done.

How to identify fake news on WhatsApp:

• Stay away from WhatsApp messages which are being forwarded continuously. Before trusting them, check their credibility thoroughly. If a message has been forwarded more than 5 times, it will have ‘Frequently Forwarded’ written on it and a double arrow button will be given. If you are not sure about who has created the message, then check the facts first.

• Photos or media should be checked carefully. Check every photo, video, voice recording carefully. This type of attachment is sent to mislead you. WhatsApp asks its users to check whether the attachment you received has been reported elsewhere. If there is any real incident then some reliable source will definitely have it. You can check for this online.

• There are many websites which publish spam messages. It creates such messages that people immediately believe them and then click on them. In such messages, wrong information and unbelievable claims are made. You should read them properly. These contain mistakes like spelling mistake, URL error.

• It would not be wrong to say that WhatsApp group is a place of fake news. Many times only rumors spread from here. As soon as you see any fake news here, you should report it immediately so that it does not spread further.

First Published : 09 March 2024, 04:24 PM IST