After analysis, received messages are highlighted in traffic light colors

Researchers at the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology are currently developing an app that can check the veracity of WhatsApp messages.

In this way, the instant messaging service could get its ever-present problem with fake news under control.

Sift through volumes of data

The new app is based on color codes assigned to received WhatsApp messages. Green indicates legitimate content, yellow is shown when the system cannot decode the message, while red means the content is a hoax.

“We are currently collecting a large amount of data and have asked users to forward messages to us on 9354325700. These messages will be analyzed and accordingly we will develop a model to expose fakes,”

explains lead researcher Ponnurangam Kumaraguru.

“Through the messages received, we will examine the common factors in such messages. The commonality could be an image, a URL, or a few words. If it is a forwarded message, it is most likely a fake message,”

Kumaraguru concluded. It is still unclear when the finished version of the app will hit the stores.

Efforts to find a solution

WhatsApp itself states that it does not take the problem of fake news lightly and has already introduced labeling of forwarded messages. Message forwarding was also limited to a maximum of five people at the same time in an update.

As a future measure, WhatsApp is also currently testing a new suspicious links feature on its Android beta platform. The feature marks links in red if the application considers them suspicious.

If a user clicks on it anyway, another warning will appear in a pop-up window.


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