WhatsApp's revealed 'Tipline' to tackle fake news ahead of Elections

In India election season is at the pinnacle with all the political parties in the middle of the campaign. Before Lok Sabha Elections, there is a "problem" that is affecting voters is the spread of fake news on social networks. To address this problem of fake news, WhatsApp messaging platform, owned by Facebook, has launched a new feature on Tuesday called '' Checkpoint Tipline '', where people can verify the authenticity of the information received while the messaging giant tries to stop the false news.

Facebook said in a statement, "Launched by Proto, an India-based media skilling startup, this Tipline will help create a database of rumours to study misinformation during elections for Checkpoint - a research project commissioned and technically assisted by WhatsApp."

Here are nine things you should know about the WhatsApp feature, how to use it and more:

1. Called "Checkpoint Tipline", WhatsApp users can now send "uncertain" information about the rumours they receive

2. PROTO, an Indian media training startup, is behind the feature but the project was commissioned and technically assisted by WhatsApp

3. How it works: users can report any suspicious information to + 91-9643-000-888

4. Once the message is forwarded, the PROTO verification centre will seek to respond and inform the user if the claim made in the shared message is verified or not.

5. The response received will tell the user if the information is true, false, misleading or even disputed.

6. Users can send images, video links, texts to verify the authenticity of the information they have received.

7. Information can be shared in five languages: English, Hindi, Telugu, Bengali and Malayalam

8. WhatsApp and PROTO will ask the base organizations to send rumours that circulate in the different regions of India.

9. The feature was also used during the elections in France and Mexico