WhatsApp limits message forwarding: what changes

Whatsapp takes the field for limit the spread of fake news ;

in this very difficult period for billions of people around the world. After limiting the length of videos in the States to fifteen seconds (for the moment only in India), now the application establishes a new limit: messages forwarded too many times they can only be sent to one chat at a time.

It may seem like a minor change, but in reality it is not so. Whatsapp it is one of the platforms most used by users to text and to keep in touch with friends and relatives in this period in which we are all stuck in the house. Among the many messages sent, however, there are some that go viral quickly and that are fake news. In a period when correct information makes the difference to stem the infection, Whatsapp has decided to limit forwarded messages to help doctors and governments work. Here is what changes for users in daily life.

WhatsApp, how the message forwarding limit works

Application developers have been working on the "forwarding" feature for some time now. Unfortunately, it is the preferred tool for hackers and scammers to make certain types of messages viral. Already last year the technicians had intervened by limiting the number of chats to which messages of dubious origin could be forwarded to five. The app had also introduced a label to distinguish them: a double arrow above the message.

Message forwarding limit: what changes for users

This is certainly not an epoch-making change for users, but we are certainly facing one limitation that will lead to different use and more aware of the application. When you receive a message announcing yet another video that infects your smartphone or good discounts to buy food or clothing, users will have less desire to forward them to every single chat.

Whatsapp he wanted to emphasize, however, that not all the messages forwarded contain false news or contribute to disinformation, and that in many cases it is useful information, funny videos, memes and significant reflections.

When the new tool will be active

You will not have to wait for any update of the app: the nuovo strumento è stato già attivato dai tecnici di Whatsapp, both for the desktop version, and for the Android and iOS app.

What is WhatsApp doing to stem the contagion from Covid-19

It may seem strange, but even messaging applications can help in a minimal part to block the infection from COVID-19. Fin dall’inizio Whatsapp ha messo a disposizione i propri strumenti per aiutare il personale sanitario a restare in contatto con i propri familiari e con i colleghi. L’applicazione è utilizzata anche dall’OMS per divulgare le corrette informazioni sulla diffusione del virus e su come utilizzare mascherine e altri dispositivi di protezione personale.