• Burmese
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
34 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Asia

India Asks WhatsApp to Curb Spread of False Messages

by Reuters
July 4, 2018
in Asia
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
Satish Bhaykre, 21, who was beaten by a mob due to a fake WhatsApp text, poses inside his house on the outskirts of Nagpur, India, on June 23. / Reuters

Satish Bhaykre, 21, who was beaten by a mob due to a fake WhatsApp text, poses inside his house on the outskirts of Nagpur, India, on June 23. / Reuters

3.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

MUMBAI — India has asked Facebook Inc.-owned WhatsApp messenger to take steps to prevent the circulation of false texts and provocative content that have led to a series of lynchings and mob beatings across the country in the past few months.

With more than 200 million users in India, WhatsApp’s biggest market in the world, false news and videos circulating on the messaging app have become a new headache for social media giant Facebook, already grappling with a privacy scandal.

RelatedPosts

Over 660 Women Killed by Myanmar Junta Forces Since Coup

Over 660 Women Killed by Myanmar Junta Forces Since Coup

December 6, 2023
0
‘Hundreds’ of Civil Servants Desert Myanmar Junta in Sagaing as Resistance Offensive Expands

‘Hundreds’ of Civil Servants Desert Myanmar Junta in Sagaing as Resistance Offensive Expands

December 6, 2023
212
Myanmar Junta, Russian Officials Meet for Security, Military Consultations

Myanmar Junta, Russian Officials Meet for Security, Military Consultations

December 6, 2023
558

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.

In addition, five people were beaten to death by a mob on Sunday in a fresh incident of lynching in India’s western state of Maharashtra on suspicions that they were child abductors.

“Deep disapproval of such developments has been conveyed to the senior management of WhatsApp and they have been advised that necessary remedial measures should be taken,” India’s IT ministry said in a strongly-worded statement on Tuesday.

The ministry said law enforcement authorities were taking steps to apprehend culprits responsible for the killings but the repeated flow of fake news messages on WhatsApp was also a matter of deep concern.

It also said that messaging platforms “cannot evade accountability and responsibility” when such services are abused by users to spread misinformation.

“The government has also conveyed in no uncertain terms that WhatsApp must take immediate action to end this menace and ensure that their platform is not used for such mala fide activities,” it added.

WhatsApp said it does not want the platform to be used for spreading misinformation, adding the dissemination of false messages was a challenge that companies and society should address.

The firm also announced awards for researchers to explore misinformation related issues and share their proposals with the messaging service, its parent Facebook, academia and policymakers.

Facebook did not respond to a request for comment on the government’s statement.

WhatsApp previously told Reuters that it is educating users to identify fake news as well as considering changes to the service. For example, there is now a public beta test that is labeling any forwarded message. Last week, it also introduced a new setting which allows only the administrators or owners of groups to send messages.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Media
Previous Post

Ambitious Plans for Southern China Megalopolis Trigger Big Hopes and Fears in Hong Kong

Next Post

Is Modi Govt Getting its Act Together for a Better Act East Asia Policy?

Reuters

Reuters

...

Similar Picks:

Junta Watch: Propaganda Boosted to Drown Out Military Defeats; Drone Phobia Grips Regime; and More

Junta Watch: Propaganda Boosted to Drown Out Military Defeats; Drone Phobia Grips Regime; and More

November 25, 2023
2.1k
Who’s Behind Myanmar Junta’s Bid to Split Resistance, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi?

Who’s Behind Myanmar Junta’s Bid to Split Resistance, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi?

October 6, 2023
2k
Junta Completes Stranglehold on Myanmar Media With Law Change

Junta Completes Stranglehold on Myanmar Media With Law Change

November 21, 2023
2k
Junta Watch: Grand Ceasefire Anniversary Exposed as Farce; Cadets Lined Up as Cannon Fodder; and More

Junta Watch: Grand Ceasefire Anniversary Exposed as Farce; Cadets Lined Up as Cannon Fodder; and More

October 7, 2023
1k
Myanmar Junta Adds Russia’s ‘Firehose of Propaganda’ to its Arsenal

Myanmar Junta Adds Russia’s ‘Firehose of Propaganda’ to its Arsenal

September 7, 2023
746
Myanmar Junta Jails Journalist for 20 Years Over Cyclone Coverage

Myanmar Junta Jails Journalist for 20 Years Over Cyclone Coverage

September 6, 2023
703
Load More
Next Post
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during her meeting with Myanmar’s president during her May 10 visit to Naypyitaw.  / Ministry of External Affairs India. / The Irrawaddy

Is Modi Govt Getting its Act Together for a Better Act East Asia Policy?

Landmines allegedly laid by the Myanmar Army and found by the KIA in April and May in Tanai Township, Kachin State, are put on display in this photo Free Burma Rangers says was provided by the KIA. / Free Burma Rangers

3 Civilians Reportedly Killed by Landmines in Shan State in June

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

As Myanmar’s Junta Loses Control, Its Coup Leader Ratchets Up His Blame Game

As Myanmar’s Junta Loses Control, Its Coup Leader Ratchets Up His Blame Game

5 days ago
7.9k
Myanmar Regime Stops Fuel Supplies to Yangon Factories

Myanmar Regime Stops Fuel Supplies to Yangon Factories

1 day ago
6.9k

Most Read

  • Myanmar Junta Boss Tries to Drive Wedge Between Ethnic Armies, Civilians

    Myanmar Junta Boss Tries to Drive Wedge Between Ethnic Armies, Civilians

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Uses Chemical Warfare: Arakan Army

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Full Civilian Rule Restored in First Large Town Seized by Myanmar Resistance: NUG

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Resistance Seizes First Town in Bago Region: KNU

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Depleted Myanmar Military Urges Deserters to Return to Barracks

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.