WhatsApp Fake News Issue: Forwarding Info Feature Rumoured To Let Users Monitor Count Of Message Forwards

Popular instant messaging app WhatsApp is rumoured to be testing  a feature to allow users to view the number of times a message has been subject to forwards. This functionality is currently said to be under test by WhatsApp. When the feature does get officially released, this could be a positive step towards combating its “Fake News problem” as messages most of the times get forwarded without being verified for authenticity and genuineness.

Now, as per WABetaInfo, the above feature apparently called Forwarding Info (displaying count of of forwards) would be available for viewing from the Message Info section in the custom message settings menu. The functionality, though not released, is currently said to be under test in version 2.19.80 of WhatsApp which is rumoured to have submitted this variant of the app to the Google Play Beta Program. This means that that a future update to WhatsApp may contain the new Forwarding Info aspect and this could potentially hit Android users before moving on to other platforms. However, you could take these rumours with a pinch of salt considering the fact that the features could still be under initial tests and may not make it in real world (apart from beta testing). A cross-section of beta testers should be able to view these features, nonetheless.

With Forwarding Info, users may be able to monitor the exact number of instances where a sent message was forwarded to others. To check this, the Message Info selection could be used as per WABetaInfo.

Also, in case this functionality gets enabled (probably in a near future update), users should check out a Forwarded and Frequently Forwarded labeling reportedly representing the degree of forwarding which a particular message has been subject to.  These make for interesting features, especially during the Indian election season with the Lok Sabha polls fast approaching. Don’t you think so?

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