How to use Whatsapp chatbot to check fake information about Corona Virus?

Moneylife Digital Team 05 May 2020

Life

The current COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the whole world. For the 2 billion users of WhatsApp, now more than ever is the time for calling, messaging, and seeking trustworthy information.

On 4th May, the Poynter Institute’s International Fact Checking Network (IFCN) launched a WhatsApp chatbot to dispel rumours around the coronavirus. This chatbot can be used to prevent COVID-19 misinformation or fake news from reaching a wider audience.

Whatsapp shared "The IFCN's bot has been built to address the challenge of misinformation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, by connecting people with independent fact-checkers in more than 70 countries and also with the largest database of debunked falsehoods related to the new coronavirus.”

WhatsApp has informed that since January, more than 4000 hoaxes related to coronavirus have been identified by more than 80 fact-checking organisations from 74 countries.

All these details will now form part of the Corona Virus Facts database, which can be accessed through the WhatsApp chatbot by anyone. To sign up for this chatbot, users need to save the number +1 (727) 2912606 as a contact on their phone and then text saying ‘hi’ on WhatsApp to get the bot started.

The bot has a very simple, short, and numerical menu. Users will only need to text numbers to navigate through it.

Baybars Orsek, Director, IFCN said "The IFCN chatbot will allow users to search for fact checks and get connected with fact-checkers in their countries from their smartphones. The chatbot will also serve as a way to direct people to their local fact-checkers’ websites".

Initially, the chatbot will support English as the only language, but soon users will be able to engage with it in Hindi, Spanish and even Portuguese. IFCN categorically stated that the verified fact-checkers listed in the IFCN bot directory can only see messages sent directly to them, and cannot see, monitor or delete content on WhatsApp as all messages on WhatsApp are private, and protected with end-to-end encryption.

Furthermore, the chatbot uses the mobile country code to detect the country and it then provides regional fact checks about the latest circulating rumours or myths. So, do you use it? The whole process is pretty simple and you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: To use this chatbot, users need to save the number +1 (727) 2912606 as a contact on their phone.

Step 2: Once done, you will see the IFCN chatbot on WhatsApp. Users need to send Hi to see the welcome message.

Step 3: In the welcome message, users will be greeted with a set of options to navigate. Users need to send 1 to search for fact checks, 2 for latest fact checks, 3 for tips to fight misinformation, 4 for finding fact-checkers near me, 5 for about us and 6 for privacy.

The service, which is free and works round the clock, says in its terms of condition that it may aggregate and share anonymous results of user queries and other interactions with the research community and program partners.

WhatsApp has been continuously working on ways to prevent misinformation spread from its platform. With billions of global users accessing WhatsApp through their mobile phones, this new chatbot is likely serve as a sensible tool to reduce COVID-19 hoaxes from spreading.

Earlier in March 2020, the Facebook -owned instant messaging service announced the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub — in partnership with the WHO, UNICEF, and UNDP—to offer simple, actionable guidance, general tips and resources for users around the world to be better informed about Corona virus and hence reduce the spread of rumors.

Comments

User

Dilip Modi

6 years ago

Thank you. Useful addition to stop fake forwards and keeping some of the over
enthusiastic fellow whats app users informed of their unsubstantiated forwards!