WhatsApp to restrict forwarding messages: In today’s environment, misinformation and rumors are major problems.
The more juicy the rumor, the more likely it is to spread like wildfire and have a negative impact on society, even prompting mob violence in certain cases.
To counteract this problem, major messaging and social media platforms have implemented a number of restrictions.
In 2019, WhatsApp made it illegal for users to forward messages to more than five conversations at the same time. It was further reduced to only one chat a year later.
The Facebook-owned messaging service is now considering limiting all message forwarding to a single group conversation.
This limitation is now in force on WhatsApp for viral or regularly forwarded messages. When a message is forwarded four times or more, it is identified as often forwarded, with a double arrow and a Forwarded label on top.
However, based on the recent update in the beta program, it appears that the restriction will soon apply to ordinary mails as well.
Continue >>> WhatsApp to restrict forwarding messages
When users try to forward a standard message to more than one group discussion, a warning — “Forwarded messages may only be delivered to one group chat” — appears, as discovered by WABetaInfo in WhatsApp beta for Android v2.22.7.2.
It’s unknown why WhatsApp is implementing this adjustment, but it’s plausible that it’s trying to curb the spread of hoaxes and disinformation on its network.
The restriction will make it inconvenient to forward a chat to many groups at once, as users will have to share the message with each group individually.
This should be enough of a deterrent to keep misinformation from spreading. It may also help to limit the number of spammy memes and good morning greetings on the network.
