Forwarding a false message on WhatsApp can mislead your friends and family. They may be tricked into believing something that isn’t true.
False information can also kill.
In 2018, rumors of child kidnapping spread across WhatsApp in India, with tragic results. Viral messages on the platform have been linked to the deaths of 30 people in the country.
In South Africa, WhatsApp messages have circulated with rumors about foreign nationals, local crime trends, political conspiracies, racial attacks, and other “hot-button” issues that can fuel conflict and distrust.
