WhatsApp users alert! Now, you can fact-check COVID-19 messages; Just do this

WhatsApp is consistently working to reduce the spread of misinformation and fake news related to COVID-19. The instant messaging platform has brought several features for the same, including a limit on the forwarded messages. The Facebook owned app has now launched a chatbot in collaboration with Poynter Institute's International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) that will help fight fake news on the messaging platform.

The bot allows you to fact-check all the coronavirus related messages that are being shared on the platform. For now, the bot only works in English but WhatsApp has announced that it will soon be available in Hindi, Spanish and Portuguese. The bot is specially made to fact-check information about the Coronavirus.

With this bot, the WhatsApp users will be put in contact with independent fact-checkers that are present in more than 70 countries and with the largest database of debunked falsehoods.

How the new chatbot works?

The WhatsApp users need to send a "Hi" on +1 72 72 91 2606 to activate the bot. They will receive a list of six pointers that include search for fact checks, latest fact checks, tips to fight misinformation, find fact-checkers near me, about us, and privacy.

They need to type the number mentioned in front of the query and that's it.

"The system is capable of identifying the user's country via the person’s mobile country code and then providing them with their closest fact-checking organisations. The person can then submit a piece of information for review directly to its local fact-checker or visit its website to learn more about what has been circulating in the region,” WhatsApp said in a statement.

The chatbot is available for all users on both Android and iOS.