Facebook's WhatsApp 'horrified' over India lynchings, promises action
WhatsApp 'horrified' over India lynchings, promises
action
Attacks spurred by rumours spread on WhatsApp have been
reported in 11 Indian states
AFP • July 4, 2018
WhatsApp said Wednesday it was "horrified" by a
spate of lynchings in India sparked by false rumours shared on its platform as
the government accused the messaging service of irresponsibility.
More than 20 people have been killed in India in the last
two months, according to media reports, after rumours were spread on
smartphones about child kidnappers, thieves and sexual predators.
The attacks -- usually targeting outsiders -- have left
authorities scrambling to mount an effective response, with awareness campaigns
and public alerts having limited effect.
A stern statement issued by the electronics and IT
ministry late on Tuesday expressed the government's "deep
disapproval" to the senior management of WhatsApp over the
"irresponsible and explosive messages".
"The government has also conveyed in no uncertain
terms that WhatsApp must take immediate action to end this menace," it
added.
In a letter to the Indian government, WhatsApp said it
"cares deeply about people's safety" and had taken steps to combat
the scourge of fake news and hoaxes.
"We're horrified by these terrible acts of violence
and wanted to respond quickly to the very important issues you have
raised," WhatsApp said in the letter seen by AFP.
The company said it was working with Indian researchers
to better understand the problem and had introduced changes it said would
reduce the spread of unwanted messages.
It would also soon launch a new label in India to help
users identify messages that had been forwarded as opposed to written by someone
they know.
Rumours on WhatsApp about child kidnappers saw eight men
killed in eastern Indian last year but the same information has since
resurfaced.
Attacks have been reported in at least 11 states
recently, most recently in Maharashtra where five men were bludgeoned to death
by a crazed mob on Sunday.
Last week a "rumour buster" official tasked
with warning the public against such hoaxes was killed in northeastern Tripura.
With more than 200 million users, India is WhatsApp's
biggest market. Its parent company Facebook has also been grappling with a
global data privacy scandal.
WhatsApp said it planned to run a public safety campaign
in India "given its importance" to the company, and mentioned efforts
by police to use its platform to raise awareness about its misuse.
"We believe that false news, misinformation and the
spread of hoaxes are issues best tackled collectively: by government, civil
society and technology companies working together," WhatsApp said.
"With the right action we can help improve
everyone's safety."
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