WhatsApp spotted increasing restriction for forwarded messages, testing communities tab for iOS users

WhatsApp is found to be working on a new limit for sharing forwarded messages in group chats to restrict users from spreading fake news and misinformation.

The new development has been spotted in beta testing on both Android and iOS and is apparently aimed to prevent users from sending forwarded messages to not more than one group chat at a time. Separately, WhatsApp has been spotted introducing a dedicated Communities tab that would replace the existing Camera tab on iOS. The messaging app is also seen testing an updated camera interface for Android users.

According to a report by WhatsApp beta tracker WABetaInfo, WhatsApp for iOS beta version 22.7.0.76 carries the limitation that prevents users from sending forwarded messages to not more than one group chat at a time.

In addition to iOS, WhatsApp is said to be testing the new forwarded message limitation on Android. It was first spotted on WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.22.7.2 last month. The restriction is also said to be in place for users on WhatsApp for Android beta 2.22.8.11.

Forwarded messages have often been considered as a primary source to spread fake news and misinformation. The new update is, therefore, likely to help put a limit at those ends.

It is important to note that the limitation will only apply to messages that are already forwarded by users. This means that it will not impact the messages that you have sent on the app.

In 2020, WhatsApp reduced the count of allowing the sharing of frequently forwarded messages to one chat at a time to reduce misleading information on its platform. Frequently forwarded messages are, however, the ones that are forwarded five times or more.

For regular forwarded messages, WhatsApp restricts them to up to five chats at a time.

The ongoing measures did help slow disinformation to some extent, as per some research. However, the mechanism of restricting forwarded message sharing on WhatsApp is not foolproof as users can still be able to forward frequently forwarded messages by copying and pasting their text.

Exact details on when the new restriction will come into force for end users are not available at this moment. WhatsApp may also make certain changes in the meantime as the update is currently meant for beta testing purposes.

Gadgets 360 has reached out to WhatsApp for a comment on the development and will update this article when the company responds.

WhatsApp is also spotted working on replacing the Camera tab with its Communities one on iOS. WABetaInfo has shared a screenshot to suggest the change in process. Alongside iOS, the Communities tab was spotted in development for Android users. Its reference appeared through WhatsApp for Android beta 2.22.6.9 last month.

Communities have been in testing on WhatsApp for some time. The purpose of the new feature is said to bring related groups together and help group admins manage their groups from a single place.

WhatsApp has also been spotted working on the new camera interface for Android users. It has been in testing on WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.22.8.11, as reported by WABetaInfo.

A couple of screenshots shared by the publication suggest that the interface would include a new media picker with tabs for recent photos and gallery. The camera's media bar, which was removed in iOS, is also found to be restored as a part of the update.