RPT-When a text can trigger a lynching: WhatsApp struggles with incendiary messages in India

collected by :Molly Tony

So far this year, false messages about child abductors on Facebook Inc-owned WhatsApp have helped to trigger mass beatings of more than a dozen people in India - at least three of whom have died. In addition, fake messages about child snatchers on Facebook, as well as some texts on WhatsApp, also led to the lynching of two men in eastern India earlier this month. In India, a country with over a billion phone subscribers with access to cheap mobile data, false news messages and videos can instantly go viral, creating mass hysteria and stirring up communal tensions. WhatsApp said it is aware of the incidents in India through media coverage. WhatsApp messages on organ thieves or child abductions are just the tip of the iceberg though - fake reports can range from incorrect medical advice to news about top jobs.

After 'mob justice', India asks WhatsApp to curb spread of false messages

So far this year, false messages about child abductors on WhatsApp have helped to trigger mass beatings of more than a dozen people in India at least three of whom have died. It also said that messaging platform "cannot evade accountability and responsibility" when such services are abused by users to spread misinformation. Facebook and WhatsApp did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the government's statement. WhatsApp has previously that it is educating users to identify fake news as well as considering changes to the service. Last week, it also introduced a new setting which allowed only the administrators or owners of groups to send messages.

Text triggers a lynching? WhatsApp struggles with incendiary messages in India

according to So far this year, false messages about child abductors on Facebook-owned WhatsApp have helped to trigger mass beatings of more than a dozen people in India - at least three of whom have died. In addition, fake messages about child snatchers on Facebook, as well as some texts on WhatsApp, also led to the lynching of two men in eastern India earlier this month. WhatsApp said it is aware of the incidents in India through media coverage. "Sadly some people also use WhatsApp to spread harmful misinformation," WhatsApp said in a statement. WhatsApp messages on organ thieves or child abductions are just the tip of the iceberg though - fake reports can range from incorrect medical advice to news about top jobs.