- By Vikas Yadav
- Mon, 31 Jul 2023 02:12 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
WhatsApp, a popular social media platform for instant messaging, has accelerated the communication process in India. While the app has a forest of positives, it is also a den for fake news in the country. In the latest move, a guideline regarding red ticks in a WhatsApp message is circulating like wildfire. Taking cognisance of the matter, PIB Fact Check's X handle cleared the dust around this rumour.
The information being circulated claims that besides the single and two ticks mechanism WhatsApp uses to inform the user about the recipient's response, a third tick may appear in messages that is a remark that the government has taken note of their activity. However, this claim is baseless and false.
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"Claim: The Government of India has released a new #WhatsApp guideline to monitor chats and take action against people. This message is #FAKE," PIB Fact Check tweeted. "The Government has released no such guideline," it added.
WhatsApp Red Ticks: Fake Notice
According to the fake guideline, if three blue ticks appear in a message, this means the government has taken note of the activity. If two blue and one red tick appear, this is a warning signal that an action could be initiated against the sender. And if two ticks turn red, this implies the authorities are screening your data, according to the misleading information. Lastly, the fake claim adds that if all three ticks (that do not exist) turn red, the government will initiate action and send summons from the court.
However, a user must note only a single grey tick, two grey ticks, and two blue ticks are the authentic form of message delivery to keep track of chats. And the message on the notice is fake and should not be forwarded to avoid further spread of such news. To stay aware and vigilant, a reader must verify such claims via reliable media reports and follow popular fact-check handles.