WhatsApp deletes accounts aimed at firing off fake news in Brazil

WhatsApp is taking measures against companies working to disseminate messages with false or deceitful content in Brazil. A note was sent to Agência Brasil on Friday (Oct. 19) by the company’s press office. On Thursday (18), newspaper Folha de S. Paulo published a story saying that digital marketing firms financed by executives were spreading false contents in thousands of chat groups using the smartphone instant messaging application.

According to the statement, WhatsApp “is taking the immediate legal measures to prevent companies from sending mass messages” through the app. The firm also reported to have banned accounts linked to these companies.

WhatsApp logo - Marcelo Camargo/Agência Brasil

The text says that “hundreds of thousands of accounts” have been canceled during Brazil’s election period. “We have state-of-the-art technology for the detection of accounts displaying abnormal behavior so that they cannot be used to spread spam of misinformation.”

Concerns

Fake news is a phenomenon that has taken its toll in Brazilian elections this year. The international mission spearheaded by the Organization of American States (OAS) expressed concern with the issue during the first round of elections. The run-off vote is slated to be held on October 28.

WhatsApp has attracted special attention. A study  conducted by university professors and Agência Lupa, which specializes in monitoring social media, surveyed 347 chat groups and found a mere eight percent of accurate content among the images shared.