GUWAHATI: WhatsApp has launched a ‘tipline’ in India on April 2 to curb rumours and fake news ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Using this tipline, users will be able to submit possible rumours and misinformation for verification.
In a statement, WhatsApp said that users can submit all misinformation and rumours can be submitted to WhatsApp’s Checkpoint Tipline at +91-9643-000-888.
For the helpline, WhatsApp is working with India-based media skilling startup, PROTO who will create a database of rumours to study misinformation for Checkpoint, a research project commissioned and technically assisted by WhatsApp.
When a WhatsApp user submits a suspicious message with the tipline, PROTO’s verification centre will respond and inform the user if the message is verified or not. It will also inform the user if the information is “true, false, misleading, disputed or out of scope and if it includes any other related information that is available.”
The centre can review rumours in the form of pictures, video links or text and will cover four regional languages including Hindi, Telugu, Bengali and Malayalam in addition to English.
PROTO also aims to encourage grass-roots organisations to submit rumours circulating across the country to stop the spread of misinformation.
