Summary
WhatsApp has partnered with the social arm of National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) to deliver digital literacy training. Aiming to curb fake news, propaganda and misinformation menace on its platform, the training will reach 1,00,000 people before the Lok Sabha Elections 2019. The first batch of training is scheduled to start from March 27 in Delhi, followed by workshops for representatives from rural and urban locations, and roadshows and interactions in various
Highlights:
- WhatsApp and NASSCOM aim to train 100,000 Indians to spot false information, be mindful about spreading rumours and stay safe on WhatsApp.
- The co-created curriculum, which includes real-world anecdote tools that can be used to verify a forwarded message and actions that users can take like reporting problematic content to fact checkers and other law enforcement agencies, will be disseminated in multiple regional languages.
- Volunteers will post their takeaways from such programmes to their social media handles to increase the reach of safety messages. Aspiring volunteers can register at www.mykartavya.nasscomfoundation.org
- “The use of technology platforms like WhatsApp are inherently meant to foster social good, harmony, and collaboration, but are sadly being used by a small number of miscreants to entice anger and hatred by spreading false and doctored information. Through this partnership with WhatsApp, we hope to enable all of India’s connected citizens to identify a piece of probable fake information while also sensitising them on the possible impact of its further amplification,” said Ashok Pamidi, CEO, NASSCOM Foundation.