WhatsApp CEO to Meet IT Minister During his India Visit

Chris Daniels, WhatsApp CEO, is likely to meet IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad during his one week visit to India starting tomorrow. According to reports, the company plans to address concerns around fake news on its messaging platform which have led to horrific crimes like mob-lynching.

He is also likely to meet to meet Prasad tomorrow, but this could not be independently confirmed.

According to reports, the WhatsApp officials plan to discuss measures being undertaken to counter the issue of fake news on its platform as well as the impending launch of its payment services in the country.

Last month, WhatsApp top officials had met IT Secretary and other government officials to outline various steps to tackle fake news in India.

Over the last two months, fake news messages circulating on WhatsApp have incited incidents of mob fury across parts of India. The Government has sent out two notices to WhatsApp directing it to curb fake news and rumors being spread on the messaging platform.

According to PTI reports, the IT ministry has said that the platform cannot escape its responsibility for such rampant abuse and needed to find originators of provocative messages.

In its response, WhatsApp has informed the government that it is building a local team in India to check fake news circulation.

Recently, WhatsApp has also introduced new features to let its users identify forwarded messages, restricted number of forwards at a time, and has also brought out full-page ads giving "easy tips" to spot fake news.