WhatsApp’s ‘misuse’ campaign

FACING flak for the misuse of its platform, WhatsApp on Monday launched its first-ever TV campaign in India, as part of its efforts to address the challenge of misinformation and pernicious rumours.

The popular messaging platform earlier launched two phases of a radio campaign to create awareness among users.

The first phase of the campaign kicked off on August 29, with ads across 46 radio stations of the All India Radio (Air) in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

The second phase started on September 5, with radio ads across 83 Air radio stations.

WhatsApp said it worked closely with film-maker Shirsha Guha Thakurta to develop three 60-second films, that each conveyed real scenarios about dangerous rumours that could spread among users.

The films would be available on TV, Facebook and YouTube, in nine languages, the Facebook-owned platform said, adding that it would build on this effort to prepare for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Meeting WhatsApp cheif executive Chris Daniels in August, Union IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the platform must comply with the law and take “suitable” steps to prevent its misuse. | IANS