Facebook-owned WhatsApp just released a new feature for helping users determine the origin of information which is sent to them on the messaging app. In this update, the first of its kind, a forwarded WhatsApp message will carry the tag, “forwarded”. While this development represents a small shift for the messaging app, it could make a huge impact on the way users share information, particularly dubious and disturbing viral content, over the platform.

The latest WhatsApp version sports this feature that puts a label on forwarded messages subtly yet in a hard-to-miss manner above the content of such information. This designation is introduced with a view to controlling the spread of viral misinformation in nations such as India, in which 200 million users regularly use the messaging platform.

The spread of misinformation via the app played some role in the mob killing of several men targeted by false rumours, where they were accused of kidnapping children, CNN says. The rumours are believed to have been transmitted over the cyberspace via Facebook and WhatsApp. To forestall future occurrence of such incident, the tech company acquired full-page ads in top newspapers in India to raise awareness on the perilous nature of the spread of misinformation:

“Instances of the lynching of innocent people have been noticed recently because of a large number of irresponsible and explosive messages filled with rumours and provocation are being circulated on WhatsApp. The unfortunate killing in many states such as Assam, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tripura and west Bengals are deeply painful and regrettable.

While the Law and order machinery is taking steps to apprehend the culprits, the abuse of platform like WhatsApp for repeated circulation of such provocative content is equally a matter of deep concern. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has taken serious note of these irresponsible messages and their circulation in such platforms. Deep disapproval of such developments has been conveyed to the senior management of the WhatsApp and they have been advised that necessary remedial measures should be taken to prevent the proliferation of these fake and at times motivated/sensational messages. The Government has also directed that spread of such messages should be immediately contained through the application of appropriate technology.

It has also been pointed out that such a platform cannot evade accountability and responsibility especially when good technological inventions are abused by some miscreants who resort to provocative messages which lead to a spread of violence.

The Government has also conveyed in no uncertain terms that WhatsApp must take immediate action to end this menace and ensure that their platform is not used for such malafide activities.” — A statement issued by the Information Technology Ministry of India last week.

Users are urged to stop and have a second thought before sharing forwarded messages, WhatsApp recommends.