WhatsApp, a messaging and Voice over IP service, has reportedly registered a decline in forwarded messages by 70%. This can be attributed to the messaging app as it imposed new restrictions regarding the sharing of COVID-19 related information and claims on its platform.

The Facebook-owned app has reportedly informed the government that it had witnessed the decline in forwarded messages following the introduction of a limit allowing users to  forward messages to only one chat, which could be initially shared with up to 5 chats at a time, including both group and individual chats.

However, with an aim to curb the spread of misinformation and false claims related to the novel coronavirus, the company has imposed the policy of sharing the forwarded messages to only 1 chat at a time.

People with knowledge of the matter have stated that the app is committed to tackling the spread of viral messages on its platform. Through the recent limit put into place, the app has successfully recorded a 70% drop in the number of the highly forwarded messages being shared on the platform. This initiative has ensured that the messaging service provider will continue to be a space for private and personal conversations.

The messaging app also recently collaborated with the Indian government to launch a dedicated chatbot known as MyGov Corona Helpdesk chatbot to make queries related to the deadly coronavirus pandemic. WhatsApp users can save the phone number in their contact list and seek response by sending messages for free.

The app, which is a top messaging app in India as well as other regions across the globe, has been criticized widely for taking inadequate measures to reduce the number of coronavirus-related misinformation and fake news. The app has a user base of nearly 400 million in India.

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https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/technology/whatsapp-forwards-down-by-70-after-imposing-restrictions-report-5191791.html