WhatsApp will now BLOCK you from sharing viral messages to stop ‘deadly hoax messages’

WHATSAPP is blocking users from forwarding a message on more than five times.

The goal is to stop the "wildfire" spread of dangerous or misleading hoax messages – but will probably annoy some users.

Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, announced the new rule at a special event in Jakarta, Indonesia today.

It means that if a message has been "forwarded" five times to reach you, you won't be able to pass it on a sixth time.

You could still type out the message or save the photo and then send it on again, but the dedicated "forward" button will no longer work.

The rule will apply globally – and is fully operational right now.

In a statement, a WhatsApp spokesperson told The Sun: "WhatsApp carefully evaluated this test and listened to user feedback over a six-month period. The forward limit significantly reduced forwarded messages around the world.

"Starting today, all users on the latest versions of WhatsApp can now forward to only five chats at once, which will help keep WhatsApp focused on private messaging with close contacts.

"We'll continue to listen to user feedback about their experience, and over time, look for new ways of addressing viral content."

Last year, WhatsApp introduced a global forwarding cap that blocked message-forwarding after 20 pass-ons.

And in India, the limit was already lowered to just five forwards.

Once the cap is reached, people would have to manually prepare the message again to be passed on.

This might make them stop and think about their actions, rather than mindlessly forwarding it on to their mates.

There's no guarantee it will work, of course.

"We built WhatsApp as a private messaging app – a simple, secure, and reliable way to communicate with friends and family," WhatsApp explained last year.

"And as we've added new features, we've been careful to try and keep that feeling of intimacy, which people say they love."

It added: "We are deeply committed to your safety and privacy."

Fake news is particularly trick to handle on WhatsApp.

Unlike Facebook or Twitter, hoax messages spread privately, and can't easily be scrutinised by anyone – WhatsApp included.

Part of the problem is that not only are WhatsApp messages private from the world, but they're also encrypted.

That means even WhatsApp itself can't read the messages you send – making killing fake news very difficult.

Brits recently saw a major hoax spread through WhatsApp, when a fake story about an imminent divorce announcement from David and Victoria Beckham spread on the app like wildfire.

The star couple denied the rumours, but it didn't stop gullible Brits passing on the fraudulent messages to all their mates.

A London PR worker was investigated over the incident, after it emerged she'd helped spread false gossip.

It's not believed that the girl, who worked for public relations agency The Communications Store, started the rumour – but screenshots of messages sent using her work email were widely circulated over WhatsApp.

In India, it's a matter of life and death.

The nation has seen a recent surge in mob-killings of innocent people due to WhatsApp hoax messages.

Last year, two men were beaten to death by a lynch mob after WhatsApp rumours claimed they were child snatchers.

India's Information Technology Ministry outright blamed Facebook and WhatsApp for the incidents last year.

"Instances of lynching of innocent people have been noticed recently because of large number of irresponsible and explosive messages filled with rumours and provocation are being circulated on WhatsApp," the ministry explained.

"The unfortunate killing in many states such as Assam, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tripura and west Bengals are deeply painful and regrettable."

The ministry added that WhatsApp "cannot evade accountability and responsibility", warning over how the app is being "abused by some miscreants who resort to provocative messages, which lead to spread of violence".

"The Government has also conveyed in no uncertain terms that WhatsApp must take immediate action to end this menace and ensure that their platform is not used for such malafide activities," it added.

Beware the return of the notorious WhatsApp Gold virus scam.

And enjoy this trick that lets you send WhatsApp texts WITHOUT typing.

A recent WhatsApp bug let other people read your texts – even complete strangers.

Do you think WhatsApp is right to limited message forwarding? Let us know in the comments!

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