WhatsApp wants to act harder against targeted false reports with the doubt button.
- WhatsApp is probably planning a new function against false messages
- The doubt button could be used to mark unreliable messages
- Study: New function could help
Fake news deliberately spread lies and propaganda. The authors often use the fake news in political competition and for criminal purposes. The so-called fake news is intended to stir up fears and influence the opinion-forming process. They are one of the greatest challenges for democratic culture in the digital age.
That is why more and more players are fighting the spread of targeted lies - and soon WhatsApp ? The developers of the app probably want to introduce a new function: the doubt button.
WhatsApp users should be able to mark unreliable messages with the doubt button
With the new function, users could express their concerns about the credibility of a message and thus make friends and acquaintances aware of it. Fake news is often simply shared and forwarded in individual and group chats.
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In contrast, WhatsApp would now like to take action with the doubt button. The hope: If a reader sees a doubtfully marked message, he is more likely to question the content of the message. A study commissioned by parent company Facebook from the University of Pennsylvania confirms this assumption. That reports mimikama.at. The website is operated by an association that is responsible for providing information about internet fraud, false reports and computer security.
WhatsApp's doubt button could be similar to the Like button
The result of the study: If other users had marked a post as a supposed fake, other group members also doubted the authenticity of the message. Researchers conducted the study in India with 5,000 social media users. The developers of WhatsApp are therefore considering setting up the doubt button.
The doubt button on WhatsApp, like the like button on many other social media platforms, could be an emoji in the form of a warning signal or question mark. Fake news could be marked with the small pictograms. In addition, users should be able to express their concerns anonymously.
The doubt button would not be the first WhatsApp function against fake messages. For example, WhatsApp has set up a so-called tip line in India. Users can have suspicious-sounding messages verified with the feature, reports mimikama.at.
In addition, in the fight against fake news, WhatsApp has announced that it will delete several million suspicious accounts.
By Jan Wendt
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