It’s one of the most popular messaging platforms in the world, so it should come as no surprise that WhatsApp is regularly used to spread hoax messages.
The latest hoax doing the rounds this week claims to outline the UK’s exit strategy, and indicates the coronavirus lockdown will end in August.
The hoax, which was first highlighted by Business Insider, is designed to resemble official government advice, and lays out a five-stage plan from May to August.
In fact, the strategy appears to be Ireland's exit strategy, which was unveiled earlier this week.
It claims that Brits will be able to ‘meet up to four friends from other households’ from May 18, while some retail outlets and outdoor sport facilities will also re-open this month.
Meanwhile, the message also suggests that libraries could re-open in June, before museums and galleries open their doors in July.
Finally, the hoax claims that the fifth phase, starting August 10, will see ‘the lifting of most restrictions.’
It reads: “This stage will see the lifting of almost all restrictions. However, ‘large social gatherings’ such as large weddings will continue to be restricted due to risk.”
It remains unclear who is behind the messages, which are currently doing the rounds on WhatsApp.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, WhatsApp has made a conscious effort to try to reduce the spread of fake news on its platform.
For example, last month it enforced a limit on the number of times a message could be forwarded.
WhatsApp explained: “Even if a message is shared many times, this doesn’t make it true. Don't forward a message because the sender is urging you to do so.
“If you see something that's fake, tell the person that sent it to you and ask them to verify information before they share it. If a group or a contact is constantly sending fake news, report them.”
Mirror Online has contacted WhatsApp for further comment.
Boris Johnson is expected to spell out more of his thinking about how and when lockdown might eventually be eased - after the formal deadline to extend it this Thursday.
Today he said the first measures would start to lift on Monday "if we possibly can".
He told PMQs : "The reason for that is very simple, that we have to be sure the the data is going to support our ability to do this.
"That data is coming in continuously over the next few days. We want if we possibly can to get going with some of these measures on Monday."
