Categories: Digital LifeNews

WhatsApp: You can soon debunk viral messages with a new search feature

WhatsApp has announced that they are piloting a simple way to double check viral and forwarded messages by adding a search feature. The addition is to further combat the spread of misinformation, especially to do with COVID-19.

A magnifying glass icon will appear next to messages that have been forwarded through a chain of five or more people. Tapping it will search for the message’s contents online, revealing truth to any common conspiracy theories or misinformation that the message contains.

In WhatsApp’s example (seen above), a magnifying glass icon appears next to a message with two arrows (it helps people know when they’ve received a message that was not written by a close contact). Pressing on the magnifying glass will result in a notification asking if you’d like to search the web.

You’ll then be taken to a separate browser where it will show you the top results of the search. From there, you’ll be able to see if it’s accurate, or misinformation.

In May, Poynter Institute launched a WhatsApp bot that aims to let you fact-check COVID-19 claims. While the new magnifying glass feature hasn’t reached here yet in Malaysia, the WhatsApp bot could be a tool for if you receive a forwarded message containing potentially false information.

So far, the new search feature has appeared on iOS, Android, and Web in Brazil, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, the UK, and the US.

[ SOURCE, IMAGE SOURCE ]

Related reading

Recent Posts

TNB Electron deploys 200kW DC Charger at McDonald’s Batu Kawan Drive-Thru

TNB Electron's EV charger deployment continues and the latest location is in Penang near Ikea…

12 hours ago

DC Handal adds 220kW DC Charger at Sunway Pyramid

Shortly after turning on 4 EV charge points at Sunway Pyramid's CP2 Preferred Parking, DC…

14 hours ago

Meta introduces Incognito Chat with Meta AI for private AI conversations

Meta has announced a new feature called “Incognito Chat with Meta AI”, which it claims…

23 hours ago

TNB Electron deploys 240kW DC Charger at TNB Sungai Petani

If you're heading to Sungai Petani with an EV, there's now a new DC fast…

1 day ago

DC Handal deploys 120kW DC Charger and 22kW AC Charge points at Sunway Pyramid

DC Handal has turned on its EV charging location in Sunway Pyramid. With the latest…

1 day ago

SoyaCincau x Dongfeng Pop Up EV Clinic: Track Edition 2026: Chase a podium or cruise with friends; we’re opening the grid to everyone

The 2025 SoyaCincau EV Track Day wasn't just a one-off; it was the start of…

2 days ago

This website uses cookies.