WhatsApp testing image reverse search feature to combat fake news

WhatsApp will allow users to utilise Google Search platform to know if the photo shared on the messenger app is genuine or morphed.

With close to three billion active users, WhatsApp is the most popular messenger app on all platforms worldwide. However, it has been misused by cyber criminals to spread misinformation on WhatsApp.

To curb such fake news campaigns, the Meta-owned entity is testing a security feature that can help users check whether the photo shared on the app is fake or real, reported WABetaInfo, a WhatsApp community forum.

In the latest WhatsApp Beta (v2.24.21.31), the messenger app offers the option to reverse search an image shared during chatting between individuals or in group chats.

As you can see in the screenshot below, the user has to long press the photo and WhatsApp offers the option 'search on web'.

It will take the user to Google Search and will be able to know if the photo is genuine or morphed.

Whatsapp testing new reverse image search via Google search platform.

Lately, there has been a surge in misinformation shared on messenger apps. Artificially morphed photos are being misused to malign not just high-profile people in the fields of politics and movies, but also common people over bitter separation from relationships.

With this reverse search feature, people will be able to verify if the image shared on WhatsApp is fake or genuine and not fall for misinformation.

In a related development, WhatsApp has also begun testing the URL verification feature on its messenger app.

Whenever a user gets forwarded a URL to the WhatsApp inbox, he/she gets the option to get link info from a Google search. The user has to just long-press the URL link to get this option.

With this feature, users can know if the received URL is a secured link to a website page or not.

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