WhatsApp’s New Feature to Detect Fake News

WhatsApp is testing a new feature that will help users verify the authenticity of news images and photos shared with them. This tool will be crucial in exposing rapidly spreading fake news.

WhatsApp will introduce a feature that will allow users to search the web for images shared in chats. With this feature, users will be able to quickly verify the authenticity of images and find out if they are fake or altered.

New "Search the Web" Feature on WhatsApp

In a time of digitally modified images and misinformation, WhatsApp’s new feature will serve as a tool that guides users toward accurate information. By enabling users to verify images’ authenticity, WhatsApp aims to help curb the spread of manipulated visuals and rumors, creating a safer information environment.

To use this new feature, simply tap the shared image in the chat and select “Search the Web” from the menu. This will initiate a reverse image search, allowing users to see if the image originates from a reliable news source.

WhatsApp will offer this feature as an optional setting, and messages won’t be shared with WhatsApp. When images are sent to Google, they will be processed solely for search purposes and won't be stored, analyzed, or processed by WhatsApp.