Together We Can Fight False Information

Here are some easy tips to help you decide if something sent to you on WhatsApp is true.

1 Understand when a message is forwarded

Starting this week, we’re rolling out a new feature that lets you see which messages have been forwarded. Double check the facts when you’re not sure who wrote the original message.

2 Question information that upsets you

If you read something that makes you angry or afraid, ask whether it was shared to make you feel that way. And if the answer is yes, think twice before sharing it again.

3 Check information that seems unbelievable

Stories that seem hard to believe are often untrue – so check elsewhere to see if they are really true.

4 Look out for messages that look different

Many messages containing hoaxes or fake news have spelling mistakes. Look for these signs so you can check if the information is accurate.

5 Check photos in messages carefully

It is easier to believe photos and videos, but even these can be edited to mislead you. Sometimes the photo is real, but the story around it is not. So look online to see where the photo came from.

6 And check links too

It may look like the link to a well-known website but if there are spelling mistakes or unusual characters, it’s usually a sign something’s wrong.

7 Use other sources

Look at other news websites or apps to see if the story is being reported elsewhere. When a story is reported in multiple places, it’s more likely to be true.

8 Be thoughtful about what you share

If you are not sure of the source or concerned that the information may be untrue, think twice before sharing.

9 You can control what you see

On WhatsApp you can block any number or leave any group you want. Use these features to keep control of your WhatsApp experience.

10 Fake news often goes viral

Do not pay attention to the number of times you receive the message. Just because a message is shared many times, does not make it true.