Tuesday, July 8, 2025
ADVT 
India

WhatsApp Restricts Message Forwarding For Indian Users

Darpan News Desk IANS, 09 Aug, 2018 01:10 PM
  • WhatsApp Restricts Message Forwarding For Indian Users
With the Indian government talking tough on WhatsApp’s failure to check the spread of fake and provocative content on its platform, the instant messaging service on Wednesday said it has begun rolling out its forward message limit to five chats for over 200 million users in India.
 
 
The Facebook-owned platform last month announced to launch a test to limit message forwarding to five chats in India.
 
 
“The limit has started to appear this week for people in India who are on the current version of WhatsApp,” the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
 
 
In addition, the instant messaging app also published a new video to educate its users, saying it is expanding its user education campaign on how to spot fake news and hoaxes.
 
 
“This week, WhatsApp is publishing a new video that explains the importance of the ‘forward’ label and calls users to ‘double check the facts when you’re not sure who created the original message,’” said the company.
 
 
People forward more messages, photos, and videos in India than any other country in the world.
 
 
Globally, the company allows users to forward messages for up to 20 chats (either individuals or groups).
 
 
WhatsApp said that with new changes, which it will continue to evaluate, “will help keep WhatsApp the way it was designed to be: a private messaging app”.
 
 
“We are deeply committed to your safety and privacy which is why WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted, and we’ll continue to improve our app with features like this one,” it said in an earlier statement.
 
 
Media reports surfaced this week, claiming the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had asked telecom companies for ways to block social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram and Instagram in case of threat to national security and public order.
 
 
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), however, said the government should look for “more effective” steps to curb fake news and maintain public order, instead of blocking mobile applications. 

MORE India ARTICLES

Delhi Man Slits Throat Of Lover's ‘Phone Friend’. He Was ‘Jealous’

Delhi Man Slits Throat Of Lover's ‘Phone Friend’. He Was ‘Jealous’
It was found that the victim was in touch with a woman, who works as a maid in Dwarka Sector 10, they added.

Delhi Man Slits Throat Of Lover's ‘Phone Friend’. He Was ‘Jealous’

2 Indian Techies In US Create India’s First SmartGaon: PM Modi

2 Indian Techies In US Create India’s First SmartGaon: PM Modi
In his Mann Ki Baat radio address, Modi made a reference to Yogesh Sahu and Rajnish Bajpai, the developers of SmartGaon, which also serves as a one-stop information centre and a marketplace for farmers.

2 Indian Techies In US Create India’s First SmartGaon: PM Modi

65-Yr-Old Delhi Man Held For Theft, Says Did It To Please 5 Girlfriends

65-Yr-Old Delhi Man Held For Theft, Says Did It To Please 5 Girlfriends
At the ripe age of 65, he was caught stealing. But this Delhi man was doing it all to keep his five girlfriends happy, and to buy them expensive gifts.

65-Yr-Old Delhi Man Held For Theft, Says Did It To Please 5 Girlfriends

Gurdaspur Court Acquits Former SAD Minister Sucha Singh Langah In Rape Case

Gurdaspur Court Acquits Former SAD Minister Sucha Singh Langah In Rape Case
Former SAD minister and SGPC member Sucha Singh Langah was acquitted by a local court here on Monday in a rape case filed against him by a Punjab Police employee.

Gurdaspur Court Acquits Former SAD Minister Sucha Singh Langah In Rape Case

Kejriwal Slams Bains Brothers For ‘Insulting' Dalit MLA Harpal Singh Cheema

Kejriwal Slams Bains Brothers For ‘Insulting' Dalit MLA Harpal Singh Cheema
The rift between the AAP and its ally in Punjab the Bains brothers-led Lok Insaaf Party, widened further after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused the latter of insulting his party's Dalit MLA Harpal Singh Cheema.

Kejriwal Slams Bains Brothers For ‘Insulting' Dalit MLA Harpal Singh Cheema

PM Modi Dials Imran Khan, Congratulates Him On Election Victory

PM Modi Dials Imran Khan, Congratulates Him On Election Victory
"Prime Minister expressed hope that democracy will take deeper roots in Pakistan," the statement said, adding Modi "also reiterated his vision of peace and development in the entire neighbourhood".

PM Modi Dials Imran Khan, Congratulates Him On Election Victory