Whatsapp has created a new coronavirus information hub to help its users receive factual information on the virus.
They have also donated $1 million to the Poynter Institute's International Fact-Checking Network, after a stream of false information around COVID-19 was shared across the communication app.
Their new hub aims to provide simple guidance for health workers, educators, community leaders, non-profit organisations, local governments and local businesses that rely on WhatsApp to communicate.
It also contains tips and resources for users to reduce the spread of rumours and connect with accurate health information.
Whatsapp has been criticised by several groups for the misinformation being spread through its messaging system during this deadly outbreak.
Head of WhatsApp, Will Cathcart said: “We know that our users are reaching out on WhatsApp more than ever at this time of crisis, whether it’s to friends and loved ones, doctors to patients, or teachers to students.
"We wanted to provide a simple resource that can help connect people at this time.
“We are also pleased to be able to partner with the Poynter Institute to help grow the amount of fact-checking organizations on WhatsApp and to support their life saving work to debunk rumours.
"We will also continue to work directly with health ministries around the world for them to provide updates right within WhatsApp.”
Director of IFCN, Baybars Orsek said: “The timely donation from WhatsApp will help the fact-checks published by the CoronaVirusFacts Alliance to reach wider audiences and, in consequence, help people sort facts from fiction during this avalanche of information that WHO called an 'infodemic'.
“The International Fact-Checking Network also looks forward to discovering ways to understand the spread of health related hoaxes on WhatsApp in different formats and to make tools available for fact-checkers to detect and debunk misinformation on the messaging app.”
The new hub was launched today in partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and UNDP, which can be accessed here.
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