Like other major social media platforms, WhatsApp has become a source of news and information for many people. Like other social media platforms, misinformation and fake news chat are spread on the WhatsApp app.
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| Photo Credit PIB twitter |
A viral message indicated that the number and color of the "ticks" in the messages on WhatsApp indicate that the government was taking notice of the messages being circulated. This piece of information has now been rejected by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Twitter. PIB is a government organization that disseminates information to the media on government plans, policies and more.
The government is not doing any such thing. The message is # fake. Beware of rumors! "PIB writes on Twitter.
#Fake News Alert !— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) April 7, 2020
Messages circulating on Social Media reading 'WhatsApp info regarding √ tick marks' is #FAKE.#PIBFactCheck : No! The Government is doing no such thing. The message is #FAKE.
Beware of rumours! pic.twitter.com/GAGEnbOLdY
This viral message states that WhatsApp has implemented a new system whereby users can find out if the government is targeting the messages they are sending or if the government can take action against it.
The message below describes the number and color combination ticks and their individual meanings:
1. Three blue ticks – The Government has taken note.
2. Two blue and one red tick – The Government can take action against the sender.
3. One blue and two red ticks – The Government is screening the sender's data.
4. Three red ticks – The Government has initiated action and the sender will be receiving a summons from the court.
WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted, so neither the government nor WhatsApp can read any message sent to the messaging app. Also, WhatsApp is a great place to stay in touch with family and friends, but it's not always the best place to get news and other important information. News stories and media houses should always be preferred for news.
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