WhatsApp's Covid-19 fact-checking chatbot now available in Hindi

The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) launched a WhatsApp chatbot earlier this March. This WhatsApp chatbot is now available in Hindi.

The fact-checking chatbot on WhatsApp debunks misinformation on Covid-19 as it helps users check any detail about the virus has been classified as false by the IFCN. This chatbot is available in two more languages of English and Spanish. It plans to roll out support for more languages like Portuguese in the future.

WhatsApp’s biggest market in India with over 400 million users in the country alone. It also has a population of around 44% who understand Hindi and this is why the IFCN decided to launch its WhatsApp chatbot in Hindi, the company said in a release.

How to use the chatbot

WhatsApp users have to save this number +1 (727) 2912606 as a contact on their phone.

On WhatsApp, open the chat for this number and text the word "नमस्ते".

The chatbot will be activated and provide numbers for different facts on Covid-19.

In India the IFCN has 11 fact-checking members out of which seven publish their content in Hindi. The translation is carried out by Jagran Group’s fact-checking unit, Vishvas News. Currently there are over 250 fact-checks on Covid-19 available on the WhatsApp chatbot. This will be updated daily as it does with the English and the Spanish chatbots.