WhatsApp targets fake messages ahead of India mega-election

NEW DELHI: WhatsApp launched a hotline Tuesday allowing Indians to flag rumours circulating ahead of the upcoming election, a major concern in a country where fake news has fuelled violence. It comes a day after WhatsApp´s parent company Facebook removed hundreds of pages promoting India´s ruling and opposition parties for violating rules around spam and “coordinated inauthentic behaviour” online. The spread of viral fake videos and messages on social media platforms has proved incendiary in India, where half a billion people are online but limited digital literacy has helped rumours spread like wildfire. As hundreds of millions of Indians prepare to vote this month and next, experts say the biggest election in history will also prove an immense misinformation challenge. Less than two weeks before voting starts, WhatsApp has launched a “tipline” in partnership with an Indian startup that it says will allow voters to submit uncertain or suspicious content for verification.