There are billions of WhatsApp users worldwide. WhatsApp users can share media with their contacts in addition to sending messages. However, the emergence of generative AI has made the dissemination of false information through images and videos a threat to all social media platforms. WhatsApp is currently testing a new feature, though, that will enable the ability to look up images in chats in reverse. Users will be able to recognize manipulated media with the aid of this feature.
According to feature tracker WABetaInfo, beta testers can now access a new feature in the media viewer that shows up when an image is opened within a chat with the most recent version of WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.23.13. After gaining user consent to upload the image, this new feature enables a reverse image search.
How to utilize this function
Users must first install the most recent version of WhatsApp beta for Android in order to utilize the feature. After that, they can tap the three dots at the top of the screen, pick an image, start a chat, and select “Search on web” and then “Search.”
This new image lookup tool is a powerful tool for rapidly determining an image’s origin. Users can check if they have received altered or modified images, which are common strategies used to spread false information, or find identical or similar images online with a few taps.
The messaging app owned by Meta has made it clear that it does not have access to images prior to, during, or following their transmission to Google for processing. The reverse image lookup feature is currently only accessible to a limited number of beta testers, but it is expected to eventually be made available to all users.
In the meantime, WhatsApp recently banned more than 8.5 million Indian user accounts in September, marking a significant step forward in terms of regulatory compliance. In compliance with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, Meta’s instant messaging platform has documented this action in its monthly compliance report.
