Technology

WhatsApp testing feature to let admins delete messages for all: Could it help fight misinformation?

Great Whatsapp Group. They unite many users in one channel where everything from message to the media can be shared. However, some messages can be a problem in group chat. Often, there is wrong and simple information that is spread through WhatsApp in the future in a bigger family group and even groups with friends, neighbors, etc.

But the upcoming WhatsApp feature will be a useful solution for the admin to get rid of unwanted messages in the group. This feature is seen on WhatsApp Beta v2.22.17.12 by Wabetainfo. Currently launched to a small number of examiners and can immediately come to a stable version. The message deleted by the admin will also be symbolized by a bubble which states that the message was revealed by the admin.

This feature will allow the admin to delete messages to everyone in the group. At present, the admin can only delete messages for themselves, like every other member in the group. Admin and group members can only delete messages to everyone if they send them themselves. However, this makes a problematic message very visible in the group, to see everyone.

In cases where someone may have sent inappropriate media in a group, a reply message that asks people to stay away is probably not the most effective, because people will often see it after an inappropriate message, in sequence. WhatsApp’s new features will be proven to be useful in such cases, allowing the admin to reduce messages/media that have problems before other group members see/spread it further.

Simple features can also help curb the dissemination of wrong information in India, where WhatsApp advanced rampant, spreading false news about everything from politics to Covid-19. Messages that contain misleading information, either through text or images and videos, can now be stopped by the admin to spread further. This of course, does not help groups where even the admin is not a facts examiner or those who themselves promote disinformation. But the addition of this feature is a good start for popular communication platforms.

This can also ensure that the admin ensures that the group sticks to the conversation that begins. For example, the admin of the parenting group can ensure that the conversation remains around the topic, instead of turning to other domains such as politics, etc. that can cause many unnecessary discussions.

Either way, this looks like an interesting feature. Hopefully, WhatsApp will soon launch it for all users.