WhatsApp said to bring fake news verification model to India

WhatsApp senior executives from its US headquarters and India operations reportedly had met the Election Commission of India as a part of the upcoming Indian elections and the misuse possibilities on the platform. WhatsApp official told EC that it will look out for the options concerning the spam messaging techniques in the run-up to state polls scheduled for 2018-end. This will become active from the time the model code of conduct kicks in, and especially 48 hours before polling. The company will also bring the fake news verification model it recently used in Mexican general elections to India. People familiar with the internal developments inside WhatsApp confirmed that these meetings have been held and that the team comprises researchers, and executives dealing with public policy, customer operations and business development. Furthermore, EC officials said to have agreed to maintain secrecy through the period the model code of conduct is in force and will up its efforts 48 hours before polling begins. WhatsApp Indian team is also said to be planning to meet Indian banks which it needs to be in partnership for a peer-to-peer digital payments solution. The learning from monitoring the 2018-end elections will be used to frame a broader approach for general elections scheduled for ...