WhatsApp joins hands with Reliance Jio to curb fake news
Weeks after Mukesh Ambani brought WhatsApp to millions of Indians via its cheap JioPhones, WhatsApp has announced that it is working closely with Reliance Jio to curb the spread of fake news. The development comes at a time when the Facebook-owned messaging service has been struggling to contain the propagation of fake news in India, and is under immense government pressure. Here's more.
WhatsApp spokesperson confirms the partnership
"We are working closely with Jio to continue our education campaign for WhatsApp users," said WhatsApp spokesperson Carl Woog to Reuters.
Why it's important for WhatsApp to work with Jio
The partnership is particularly important considering the outreach of JioPhones, which has sold over 25 million units. With India's smaller towns and villages being a key market for the cheap JioPhones, deep-seated prejudices based on caste and religion, coupled with cheap data and WhatsApp usage, could exacerbate the fake news menace. Already, more than 30 people have died in fake news-induced mob lynchings.
WhatsApp has already taken several steps to curb fake news
The partnership marks the latest step in a string of efforts WhatsApp has taken to try and curb fake news. WhatsApp has labelled forwarded messages, limited message forwards, and has launched print and radio ad campaigns to raise awareness about fake news. It has also partnered with the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) in Delhi to spread digital literacy in India's cities and towns.
India is a key market for WhatsApp
WhatsApp's efforts to curb fake news under pressure from the Indian government also underscores the importance of India as a market, where the app has 200 million users. Meanwhile, WhatsApp is looking for an India chief and a policy head in India, so it can officially launch its payments service, which got delayed owing to India's push on data localization.
