WhatsApp limits the ability to forward messages en masse

WhatsApp limits the possibilities for forwarding messages. Users worldwide can now forward messages to up to 20 individuals or groups. In India, the restriction continues to a maximum of five chats.

Previously it was possible to select messages and forward them to up to 250 other chats. WhatsApp now says it is conducting a test that imposes restrictions on message forwarding for everyone. In India the restrictions are stricter, in addition to a limit of five chats, the icon next to media to quickly send a photo or video has also been removed.

In recent months, forwarded messages on WhatsApp have resulted in lynchings across the country as people forwarded fake messages accusing individuals of kidnapping, for example. WhatsApp does not mention in its blog why stricter rules apply in India. The service only states that more messages are forwarded in the country than in other countries.

On Thursday, Facebook announced that it would remove messages from both Facebook itself and Instagram that lead to disinformation and violence. Substantive action against messages on WhatsApp is not possible, because the platform uses end-to-end encryption.

Restricting the forwarding of messages follows an earlier measure, in which WhatsApp added an icon to forwarded messages. That should make users think about the content of such a message.