Misuse of Whatsapp: Spreading misinformation and hatred.How Whatsapp is used to spread speculation.
Dr. Priya Chandak
September 10, 2024. 4 minute Read
Got scammed on WhatsApp??
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“You are definitely not the only one “,
As WhatsApp has become a trendy mode of sharing friendly chats, and healthy conversation, yet, beneath its friendly surface, lay a web of misuse that is weaving its way into everyday lives.
WhatsApp , a widely used messaging platform with over two billion users, has revolutionised the way we communicate. Its end-to-end encryption and user-friendly interface have made it a popular choice for personal and professional conversations.
However its features, with its beneficial services have also made this a widespread network of misinformation, privacy disruptions, cyber crimes and a ground of spreading hatred.
WhatsApp with its features,not only helps to communicate but also makes itself appealing and vulnerable to misuse.
So, How can we protect ourselves from falling victim to WhatsApp scams?
Here at The One Liner, our goal is to help you understand the potential misuses of WhatsApp and provide strategies to prevent them.
No matter how good WhatsApp is,as a social media app. But it’s a fact that, when people misuse your conversation and privacy to build a case against you, it destroys many lives.
So the point is no matter how great the medium Whats App is, one must minimise its usage and must remember, record things as minimally as possible. But this is not all, rumour spread across What’s app is equally a problem.
There are two kinds of problems with rumour over WhatsApp:
- Misinformation
- Incitement to violence
Spread of Misinformation
Misinformation can be spread in various forms:
1. Health related misinformation
- Many WhatsApp groups spread mis-information about false health claims, dangerous unverified treatment protocols and tests.
- Recently during COVID -19 times,there was immense misleading information about the disease,treatment options and vaccination details ,which ultimately created a panic situation among users.
2. Scamming
Have you been scammed before?
- If the answer is “Yes,”then let me tell you are not the only one,most people are becoming victims of these nowadays and WhatsApp plays a vital role in this.
- WhatsApp has also become a greater platform for scams and frauds, including phishing, fraudulent money schemes, insurance schemes. These scammers exploit users' trusts and cause them financial and mental stress.
3. Fake news
- Fabricated news stories, criminal cases , and political news are often shared through whatsapp. This news affects the people's opinion,misguides them ,excarbate social tension and makes them believe in false information.
- In 2018, this concern about online misinformation reached a fever pitch in India following numerous reports of mob lynchings in major Indian news media outlets. The incidents were reportedly catalysed by rumours on the popular messaging service WhatsApp (which has 200 million active users in India) about the presence of child kidnappers in various Indian villages—individuals who, in some cases, were described to be medical professionals in search of children to harvest their kidneys.4 Compounding the complexity of the problem was WhatsApp's use of an end-to-end encryption technology to protect the confidentiality of messages while also preventing their traceability.
Amplification of hatred and violence
1. Incitement to violence
- WhatsApp groups and chats sometimes ignite violent actions and spread hatred among users.
- Activist’s groups and individuals use WhatsApp to propagate division narratives and organise violent actions among users.
2. Real - world consequences
- In various instances, WhatsApp driven misinformation can lead to riots and strikes .
- In many developing countries, there are many histories of riots due to miscommunication and misinformation leading to mass casualties as well as financial crisis.
How to address the misuse of WhatsApp?
1. Educational institutions
- Addressing digital literacy is crucial for internet users. Users should be aware of all the privacy settings and need to be educated on how to verify false information and prevent its spread in the community.
- Awareness campaigns and educational programs can help users to verify the correct information and reduce the spread of harmful information.
2. Fact - checking:
- There are many fact- checking organisations now available which play a vital role in debunking misinformation.
- Users should be aware of these organisations to verify the credibility of information before forwarding it.
- Avoid disclosing sensitive information such as passwords, bank details, or personal identification numbers through WhatsApp, especially if the request seems suspicious and from an unknown source.
3. Platform Responsibility
- WhatsApp, as a platform, must take responsibility for the misuse of its services. Which includes,improving its security mechanisms, enhancing programs to detect and prevent the spread of harmful content, and collaborating with other organisations to address the misuse of WhatsApp.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion
Misuse of WhatsApp in spreading misinformation and hatred has a significant role in affecting personal lives, public health, political and social issues. These issues requires a combined effort of platform responsibilities, educational initiatives,fact – checking organisations and users awareness to address them.
So, by taking required preventive measures, we can minimise the negative impacts of misinformation and hatred, creating a safer and more informed digital environment.
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