Messaging service WhatsApp is rolling out a new function which enables users to instantly research forwarded messages in an attempt to fight floods of disinformation on its platform.
Under a new pilot scheme, users in seven countries will be able to upload forwarded messages to their browser to check their veracity.
"Today, we’re piloting a simple way to double check these messages by tapping a magnifying glass button in the chat," a statement on WhatApp's website read.
"Providing a simple way to search messages that have been forwarded many times may help people find news results or other sources of information about content they have received."
WhatsApp will never see the message itself, the company said.
Monday's move is the latest in a series of changes made by the Facebook-owned app to quash disinformation related to the coronavirus contained in forwarded messages.
The World Health Organisation called the deluge of different facts and figures a "infodemic" and warned the public to only trust approved sources.
In April WhatsApp said it had seen a 70 per cent drop in "highly forwarded" messages after preventing messages that had been sent five times or more being posted to more than one group at a time.
At the moment, highly forwarded messages are displayed with two accompanying arrows to signal to the recipient that they have received a message that was not written by a close contact.
The new search feature will be available in Brazil, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, UK, and US for those on the latest versions of WhatsApp for Android, iOS and WhatsApp Web.
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
