With a view to limit the circulation of fake news and misinformation through its platform amid the spread of coronavirus, WhatsApp is reducing its limits on message forwarding even further. It will now allow users to share frequently forwarded messages to only one chat at a time.

Increased forwards of fake information on symptoms, cures, Government advisories and lockdown extension on WhatsApp have added to panic among people. The existing limit allowing users to forward a message for up to five times will continue as the new restriction is only for the frequently forwarded messages.

 “In effect, these messages are less personal compared to typical messages sent on WhatsApp. We are now introducing a limit so that these messages can only be forwarded to one chat at a time. “We know many users forward helpful information, as well as funny videos, memes, and reflections or prayers they find meaningful,” said WhatsApp in a blog on Tuesday.

“In recent weeks, people have also used WhatsApp to organise public moments of support for frontline health workers. However, we’ve seen a significant increase in the amount of forwarding which users have told us can feel overwhelming and can contribute to the spread of misinformation. We believe it’s important to slow the spread of these messages down to keep WhatsApp a place for personal conversation,” it said.

“The limits on forwarded messages led to a 25 per cent decrease in message forwards globally at the time,” it said.