WhatsApp Blocks Accounts Flagged by Government for Misinformation and Hate Speech

WhatsApp cooperated with the government in blocking several accounts of users using mobile connections by potentially spreading misinformation and hate speech, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Monday.

The minister said that the government had flagged several numbers to WhatsApp using artificial intelligence (AI) and the messaging platform had cooperated in blocking them.

"WhatsApp cooperated with us and blocked the numbers," Vaishnaw said in a tweet.

The minister's statement comes amid concerns over the spread of misinformation and hate speech on social media platforms.

In April, the government had asked WhatsApp to take steps to curb the spread of misinformation and hate speech on its platform.

The government had also asked WhatsApp to provide details of the accounts of users who were spreading misinformation and hate speech.

WhatsApp had said that it was committed to preventing the spread of misinformation and hate speech on its platform.

The messaging platform had said that it had taken several steps to curb the spread of misinformation and hate speech, including introducing new features and tools.

WhatsApp had also said that it was working with the government to address the concerns raised by the government.

Here are some of the steps that WhatsApp has taken to curb the spread of misinformation and hate speech:

• Introducing a new feature called "Community Chats" that allows users to create groups of up to 500 people.
• Introducing a new tool called "Take a Break" that allows users to set limits on how much time they spend on the app.
• Working with fact-checking organizations to verify information that is shared on the app.
• Removing accounts that are found to be spreading misinformation and hate speech.

The government has welcomed the steps taken by WhatsApp to curb the spread of misinformation and hate speech.

The minister said that the government would continue to work with WhatsApp and other social media platforms to ensure that they are used for positive purposes and not for spreading misinformation and hate speech.