In a move that will directly impact the spread of good morning messages in India, WhatsApp will soon set a limit on the number of messages you can forward.
Five messages. Yes, that's all you can forward on WhatsApp at any given time very soon.
Reuters
ALSO READ:?WhatsApp Now Labels Forwarded Messages So You Know What You Should Or Should Not Trust Online
In an official blog post, WhatsApp detailed how it's launching a test to "limit forwarding" that will apply to everyone using WhatsApp. And specifically for India, WhatsApp is setting a lower limit of 5 chats at once -- the limit for the rest of the world will be 20 messages.
Not just setting a five message limit on forwards, WhatsApp is also removing the quick forward button next to media messages -- messages that contain images or video.
No prizes for guessing that WhatsApp's putting these limiting features due to the recent heat it's been facing over the rampant spread of rumours, where quite a few of them have led to mob lynchings in India.?
reuters
ALSO READ:?After Murders Fueled By WhatsApp Rumours, Govt Issues Guidelines To Tackle Mob Lynching
WhatsApp has over 20 crore users in India,?they forward more messages, photos, and videos than any other country in the world, according to WhatsApp.?False messages about child kidnappers on WhatsApp had led to more than a dozen people in India getting thrashed by angry mobs, some of whom have even died unfortunately.
The Indian government had asked WhatsApp to do more at their end to curb the spread of deadly rumours through their service -- more than just labelling message forwards.?
Reuters
ALSO READ:?Four Ways WhatsApp Can Learn From Other Apps & Add Features That Can Stop The Spread Of Rumours
The government is of the view that if WhatsApp can locate specific groups and target audiences for advertisement purposes, it should be able to use similar methods to identify groups where rumours and provocative messages are causing a stir, according to an ET report.
The government even threatened to sue WhatsApp if it didn't pull its weight and do enough to solve this menace of rumours through its network.