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Agence France-Presse

India has told WhatsApp to take “immediate action” after a spate of horrific lynchings sparked by false rumours being shared on the hugely popular smartphone messaging service.
More than 25 people have been killed in India in recent months after rumours were spread on smartphones about child kidnappers, thieves and sexual predators.
The attacks – usually targeting outsiders – have left authorities scrambling to mount an effective response, with awareness campaigns and public alerts having limited effect.
A stern statement issued by the electronics and IT ministry late on Tuesday expressed the government’s “deep disapproval” to the senior management of WhatsApp over the “irresponsible and explosive messages”.
WhatsApp and Facebook are the main sources of fake news for Malaysians
“The government has also conveyed in no uncertain terms that WhatsApp must take immediate action to end this menace,” it added.

The spate of lynchings started in May last year in eastern India after rumours on WhatsApp about child kidnappers led to the killing of six men.
The same misinformation has since resurfaced, with attacks reported in at least 11 states recently.
On Sunday, five men were bludgeoned to death in Maharashtra state by a crazed mob, and last week a “rumour buster” official tasked with warning the public against such hoaxes was killed in northeastern Tripura.
WhatsApp says its billion users are now snoop-proof, with ‘full end-to-end encryption’
With more than 200 million users, India is WhatsApp’s biggest market. Its parent company Facebook has also been grappling with a global data privacy scandal.
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 goes down in Hong Kong and around the world, according to reports
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 labelling any forwarded message. Last week, it also introduced a new setting which allowed only the administrators or owners of groups to send messages.
Additional reporting by Reuters


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India

India demands WhatsApp curb spread of rumours after crazed mobs rampage

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.

Indian paramilitary force personnel inspect a scene of a crime after an angry mob lynched one person and injuring others at a makeshift in Tripura State Rifles (TSR) camp in Mohanpur, on the outskirts of Agartala on June 29, 2018. Authorities in north-eastern India have cut internet access after crazed mobs beat three people to death in the latest cases of lynchings sparked by false rumours spread on smartphones, officials said on June 29. / AFP PHOTO / -

Indian paramilitary force personnel keep vigil near a damaged vehicle after an angry mob lynched one person and injuring others at a makeshift in Tripura State Rifles (TSR) camp in Mohanpur, on the outskirts of Agartala on June 29, 2018. Authorities in north-eastern India have cut internet access after crazed mobs beat three people to death in the latest cases of lynchings sparked by false rumours spread on smartphones, officials said on June 29. / AFP PHOTO / -

23 arrested in India after mob beats five people to death in latest lynchings

The blood-spattered room where five men were murdered in a lynching in western India’s Dhule district. Photo: AFP

Indian members from the Vaadi community participate in a protest in support of Shantadevi Nath, who was killed by a mob that falsely believed she was intent on abducting children on June 27, in Ahmedabad on July 2, 2018. Indian police urged people on June 27 not to believe false rumours spread on WhatsApp after a woman was killed and a dozen hurt in the latest mob attacks to leave authorities looking powerless. / AFP PHOTO / SAM PANTHAKY

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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


WhatsApp

India demands WhatsApp curb spread of rumours after crazed mobs rampage

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}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

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