WhatsApp Tries To Curb Misinformation, And Annoying Aunts And Uncles

The icons of Facebook and WhatsApp.

Martin Meissner / AP

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging platforms in the world. With about 1.5 billion users, it’s a free way to text and place international voice and video calls.

But recently the platform, which is owned by Facebook, has faced accusations of being used to spread misinformation — with serious consequences. Last year in India, rumors spread mostly on WhatsApp led to mob killings. In the run-up to Brazil’s recent elections, misinformation and conspiracy theories also went viral on the messaging app.

WhatsApp is now limiting the number of people users can forward messages to, to five.