If you're one of those serial WhatsApp message forwarders, we have some bad news for you. In a recent blog post by WhatsApp, the company said it will soon be limiting users from forwarding messages to only five people at a time. This decision was taken to curtail the rapidly spreading menace of fake news, especially in India, which has led to misunderstood mob lynching and deaths of several civilians.

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WhatsApp said in the blog post, “Today, we're launching a test to limit forwarding that will apply to everyone using WhatsApp. In India - where people forward more messages, photos, and videos than any other country in the world - we'll also test a lower limit of 5 chats at once and we'll remove the quick forward button next to media messages.”

The Indian Government recently issued a notice to WhatsApp to bring more effective solutions to curb this problem. Recently, WhatsApp added a feature that would let users identify forwarded messages with a label. The company also took out full-page advertisements in Indian newspapers to highlight “easy tips” for spotting fake news.

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The Centre said in a statement “When rumours and fake news get propagated by mischief mongers, the medium used for such propagation cannot evade responsibility and accountability. If they remain, mute spectators, they are liable to be treated as abettors and thereafter face consequent legal action. It has been conveyed to them in unmistakable terms that it is a very serious issue which deserves a more sensitive response,”

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WhatsApp currently has over 200 million active users in India, where forwarding messages is a common practice. Forwarded messages include simple 'Good Morning' messages and sometimes even fake news, which has led to angry mobs targeting innocent people. Most of these forwarded messages include texts, photos, and videos. 

Fake messages about children kidnappers on WhatsApp has led to at least 12 people being harassed or physically assaulted. 

Source: WhatsApp Blog