The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a chatbot on WhatsApp to provide information the coronavirus. about
To receive information, users should send a message, via WhatsApp, to the WHO, at +41 79 475 22 09, and write the word “Hi” to start the conversation. After that, the user can access official information about the coronavirus.
Information about the virus will be updated daily to reflect the latest developments . The service is currently available in English only . Versions of the service in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish are expected in the coming weeks.
According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, technology is helping immensely, as it enables vital information to be shared with a large number of people. This can save lives and protect people who are vulnerable to the coronavirus.
WhatsApp also has its own information page, created with the help of UNICEF, the United Nations Development Program and the WHO. The service also said it would give $1 million to the International Fact-Checking Network to combat the spread of misinformation via SMS and messaging services.
Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, said last week that it would start placing information about the coronavirus at the top of users.
“The key for us is to make sure people can access good, valid information from trusted sources. We display valid information across the network and make sure misinformation,” said Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
The platform's chief said some "hoaxes" have been circulating on Facebook. One of them encouraged patients not to undergo treatment, while another told people to drink bleach if they think they have been infected with the coronavirus. Facebook is trying to remove such news.
