The topic of fake news is much older than the Internet or messenger services like WhatsApp. False reports have been spread in all ages to enforce their own interests through opinion manipulation of the people. Not only money is power, but rather control over information and to spread it effectively and convincingly.

In contrast to the time when it was still done through barkers and newspapers, false reports are now circulating around the world in seconds, influencing people’s opinions and actions. And this is exactly where the latest measure from Facebook’s messenger service WhatsApp comes into play. Since December 7, 2019, bulk mailings such as newsletters have been banned across the board.

However, at present the new directive is not enforced with technical measures by WhatsApp, but can be found as a passage in the amended terms of use. Violations threaten next to the blocking of the user account, where appropriate, legal measures.

WhatsApp is also aware of the fact that it also cuts a communication channel that is important for companies to their customers, and advises companies to use the business solutions in order to be able to reach customers in the future as well. This has been offering its own interface since 2018, which can be used by companies classified as trustworthy. However, even with the WhatsApp business solution, no push messages can be sent, but the users must actively retrieve the messages.

In the end, in a world flooded with information, it is a different question whether this will ultimately be worthwhile for companies.

What this will mean for the WhatsApp groups, which can also have a few thousand users, is still unclear at the moment. However, we assume that these will not be affected by this regulation, since you would then significantly restrict an important core function of WhatsApp.

In the fight against fake news, the companies apparently only have the broadsword to master the situation. Unfortunately, serious providers are also affected, which not only deprives them of their range, but ultimately also causes economic damage. This procedure against false reports has also been shown for a long time in many comment areas on news sites, where the editors can no longer keep up with checking and possibly deleting comments due to the sheer mass.

And so comment areas are blocked right from the start, especially on sensitive topics with conflict potential. The fact that this not only cuts fake news and agitation but also freedom of expression is unfortunately a side effect of the whole.