SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

China app WeChat to fight fake news

China's popular social media app WeChat has launched a new feature that warns users if a news item circulating on its accounts is false.

1 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

The new tool will notify users of the messaging app - which has more than 900 million users - if a piece of news that they have received is deemed fake by Chinese censors, police or official media outlets.

The feature is one of WeChat's 'mini programs' launched this year that function only within its platform, which Chinese netizens use for messaging, mobile payments, ordering food, and even renting bicycles.

The program will also function as a social game, ranking users based on how many rumour-debunking articles they have read.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

It will also notify users if a news item they send to their friends is later found to be false.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world