In a try to control the cover of fake news, Facebook has affixed a limit to forwarded messages on Messengers.
Now, Facebook Messenger users will not be capable of forwarding messages to more than five people or groups at a time. Facebook had first worked out the forwarding limit for WhatsApp that allowed users to forward messages to just one chat at a time.
Before this, WhatsApp had also included a label “forwarded” with double arrows so that users can change the original and the forwarded messages.
“As a part of our continuing efforts to accommodate people with a safer, more private messaging activity, today we’re adding a forwarding limit on Messenger, so messages can only be delivered to five people or groups at a time.
Limiting forwarding is an efficient way to slow the extent of viral misinformation and harmful content that has the potential to cause real-world harm,” Jay Sullivan, Director of Product Management, Messenger Privacy, and Safety, stated in a blog post.
The latest feature would not permit users to send a particular message to higher than five people or groups at the same time. And if you try combining more people to the forwarded list, you will notice a pop message from Facebook stating the “forwarding limit reached.”
“We believe controlling the spread of misinformation is critical as the global COVID-19 pandemic continues and we head toward major elections in the US, New Zealand, and other countries. We’ve taken steps to give people with greater transparency and accurate information. Our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Community Hub gives users access to up-to-date information and resources designed to help them stay safe. And our Voting Information Center and voter registration notifications ensure people know how to register to vote and encourage them to make their voices heard. We are introducing a forwarding limit on Messenger to help curb the efforts of those looking to cause chaos, sow uncertainty or inadvertently undermine accurate information,” Sullivan further stated.
It is never secret that fake news progresses faster through the messaging apps and platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger, but now with the cap of forwarding limits, the spread will surely slow down if not reduce ultimately.
Earlier, Facebook had worked out new features for Messenger, including the two-factor authentication, safety notifications, login alerts, and more to preserve the privacy of Facebook users.
