WhatsApp spam in India: What’s causing the flood

In recent times, the world’s most popular instant messaging app, WhatsApp, is facing a flood of spamming messages in India. The situation has become so severe that the government of India had to issue a notice to WhatsApp, asking them to take immediate action to curb the spread of spam and fake news. So, what is causing this flood of spam on WhatsApp in India?

The primary reason for the spam flood on WhatsApp in India is the lack of regulation and monitoring of the contents being shared on the platform. WhatsApp, being an end-to-end encrypted platform, provides complete privacy to its users. This privacy feature has been exploited by many spammers who are using WhatsApp as a medium to spread spam and fake news.

One of the most common forms of spam messages on WhatsApp in India is the ‘Forwarded many times’ messages. These messages are generally chain messages that are forwarded multiple times with the request to forward it further to a specific number of people. The messages can be anything from religious or patriotic quotes to fraudulent schemes that promise financial gains. However, all of these messages ultimately lead to the spread of spam and fake news.

Another factor that contributes to the spam flood on WhatsApp in India is the low level of digital literacy. Many people in India, especially in rural areas, are not aware of the consequences of sharing fake news and spam on social media platforms. These people tend to believe and forward any message that they receive on WhatsApp without verifying the source and authenticity of the content.

Furthermore, India’s vast population also plays a significant role in the spread of WhatsApp spam. With over 1.3 billion people, India is the second-most populous country globally. As a result, any message that gets forwarded multiple times within the country can reach millions of people within a short period.

What is WhatsApp doing to stop the spam?

WhatsApp has taken various measures to combat the spread of spam and fake news on its platform. It has introduced features such as the Forwarded Label and the Limit Forwarding feature to make it easier for users to identify and control the spread of forwarded messages.

The Forwarded Label feature adds a ‘Forwarded’ tag to any message that is forwarded by a user. This label indicates that the message is not an original creation of the sender and has been forwarded multiple times. The Limit Forwarding feature, on the other hand, restricts the forwarding of a message to only five users or groups at a time.

Additionally, WhatsApp has also introduced the WhatsApp Business app, which helps small businesses connect with their customers directly. The app comes with various features like automated messages, quick replies, and catalog sharing, making it easier for businesses to communicate with their customers efficiently. This feature has helped small businesses in India stay connected with their customers during the pandemic.

Conclusion

WhatsApp spam in India has become a significant challenge due to the lack of regulation and monitoring of contents being shared on the platform. While WhatsApp has introduced various features to combat the spread of spam and fake news, the low level of digital literacy and India’s vast population remain significant factors contributing to the spam flood. The Government of India also needs to take necessary steps to regulate and monitor the contents being shared on WhatsApp and educate people on the consequences of sharing fake news and spam on social media platforms.