10 Tips From WhatsApp to Spot Fake News
Days after being reprimanded by the Indian government over the spread of misinformation leading to several lynching deaths across the country, Facebook-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has come up with tips for users to avoid false information. On Tuesday, WhatsApp which has more than 200 million users in the country, came up with advertisements in key Indian newspapers to tackle the spread of fake news in what is its first effort to combat a flurry of fake messages that prompted mob lynchings across the country.
“Together we can fight false information,” read full-page advertisements in some top English language-newspapers which is reportedly a part of the series that will also feature in regional-language dailies. The advertisement urges users to check information before sharing it and cautioned them about the spread of fake news.
The messaging platform also presented a 10-step guide to avoid false information. Here are the tips suggested by WhatsApp –
1. Understand when a message is forwarded
Starting this week, we’re rolling out a new feature that lets you see which messages have been forwarded. Double check the facts when you’re not sure who wrote the original message.
2. Question information that upsets you
If you read something that makes you angry or afraid, ask whether it was shared to make you feel that way. And if the answer is yes, think twice before sharing it again.
3.Check information that seems unbelievable
Stories that seem hard to believe are often untrue – so check elsewhere to see if they are really true.
4.Look out for messages that look different
Many messages containing hoaxes or fake new have spelling mistakes. Look for these signs so you can check if the information is accurate.
5.Check photos in messages carefully
It is easier to believe photos and videos, but even these can be edited to mislead you. Sometimes the photo is real, but the story around it is not. So look online to see where the photo came from.
6.And check links too
It may look like the link to a well-known website but if there are spelling mistakes or unusual characters, it’s usually a sign something’s wrong.
7.Use other sources
Look at other news websites or apps to see if the story is being reported elsewhere. When a story is reported in multiple places, it’s more likely to be true.
8.Be thoughtful about what you share
If you are not sure of the source or concerned that the information may be untrue, think twice before sharing.
9.You can control what you see
On WhatsApp, you can block any number or leave any group you want. Use these features to keep control of your WhatsApp experience.
10.Fake news often goes viral
Do not pay attention to the number of times to receive the message. Just because a message is shared many times, does not make it true.
The company added that everyone needs to work together to fight fake news – technology companies, the government and community groups. It also asked uses to make other people aware and help stop the spread if they notice any false piece of information. WhatsApp has previously said that it is tweaking features and giving users controls in its effort to rein in false messages.
courtesy : financialexpress.com
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Prasidh, Kuldeep limit South Africa to 270 after De Kock's hundred
Visakhapatnam (PTI): India fought back gallantly through Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav after Quinton de Kock struck his 23rd hundred, keeping South Africa to a manageable 270 in the third and series-deciding final ODI, here Saturday.
India won the toss after judging the spin of the coin incorrectly 20 times in a row. They had little hesitation in inserting the Proteas into bat, a clear indication of dew factor dominating the thought.
After Arshdeep Singh sent back Ryan Rickelton early, De Kock (106, 89b, 8x4, 6x4) struck his seventh century against India and put on 113 runs off 124 balls with skipper Temba Bavuma (48, 67b) as the visitors moved to a healthy position.
De Kock was severe on Prasidh (4/66), who erred on length continuously in his first spell (2-0-27-0). The left-hander biffed the pacer for 6, 6, 4 in his second over to milk 18 runs.
The 32-year-old quickly pounced on anything that was short, and pacers Prasidh and Harshit offered him plenty of feed on his pet areas.
Bavuma was more sedate, and made runs through those typical dabs and jabs, occasionally unfurling a drive of elan.
De Kock moved to fifty in 42 balls, and never let the tempo down reaching his hundred in 79 balls.
India found temporary relief when Ravindra Jadeja induced a false slash from Bavuma to get caught by Virat Kohli at point.
The tourists got another move on through a 54-run partnership between De Kock and Matthew Breetzkle for the third wicket, and at 168 for two in 28 overs they were in a good position to press on.
But Breetzke's punishment of part-time spinner Tilak Varma forced a rethink in the Indian camp, as skipper KL Rahul brought back Prasidh for a second spell.
What a masterstroke it turned out to be! The Karnataka man broke the back of South Africa’s top and middle order in an exceptional second spell (4-0-11-3).
Breetzke was the first man to go, trapped plumb in front with a straight one and four balls later Aiden Markram uppishly chipped a fuller delivery to Kohli at short covers.
Prasidh soon castled De Kock, whose ugly cross-batted swipe failed to connect a full length delivery from the pacer.
All of a sudden, SA found themselves at a shaky 199 for five, losing three wickets in the space of three overs.
Once Prasidh was done away with the top and middle-order, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep (4/41) took over and mopped up the tail as SA fell short of even a par total on this track.
