WhatsApp is finally testing a new feature to help you check messages

WhatsApp is finally testing a new feature to help you check messages

WhatsApp is testing a new feature that will help you check online if what is said in the messages you receive is really true. A new search feature will allow people to check messages and get more context about what is being said. Fake news and misinformation have been a problem online for quite some time, but when a global crisis hits, it's especially noticeable. Social media is abuzz with malicious and falsely malicious information, and more and more platforms are fighting back. Facebook and Twitter have already introduced fact-checking services, and moderators are jumping on certain coronavirus messages in case they spread dangerously inaccurate information. WhatsApp has just launched a coronavirus data center and is currently testing a new search option. A company spokesperson told TechCrunch: "We're working on new features to help users find more information about messages they receive that have been sent multiple times." Twitter user @shrinivassg shared screenshots of what things look like in the beta version of the messaging app:

WhatsApp seems to have added a search icon next to forwarded messages to search directly with the forwarding content on Google; fake messages that have been called generally appear at the top. Decent move. pic.twitter.com/u0DFnaj2Bi March 21, 2020

Fight for the truth

The new functionality will allow WhatsApp users to search the web based on the content of messages sent to them. I hope this makes it easier for people to determine the trustworthiness of a message and think twice before mindlessly sending it. There is no specific schedule for when this feature will be implemented in the main version of the app. For now, WhatsApp says: "This feature is currently being tested and we hope to roll it out in the near future."