The messaging service WhatsApp is asking its users to choose reliable sources of information in relation to the coronavirus.
This echoes comments by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who earlier this week asked people to "stop sharing unverified info" on WhatsApp groups.
He said: "These messages are scaring and confusing people and causing real damage. Please get your info from official, trusted sources."
I am urging everyone to please stop sharing unverified info on What's app groups. These messages are scaring and confusing people and causing real damage. Please get your info from official, trusted sources. Follow @HSELive @hpscireland @WHO @merrionstreet @dfatravelwise
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) March 16, 2020
He repeated this plea during an address to the nation on Tuesday.
Please only use info from trusted sources & don’t share unverified messages. #COVID2019 #IrelandVsCOVID pic.twitter.com/XoP7swA7AB
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) March 18, 2020
WhatsApp is launching what it calls a 'Coronavirus Information Hub' to support health initiatives.
This is being done in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
It is also donating US$1m to the Poynter Institute's International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN).
WhatsApp has said its information hub will provide "simple, actionable guidance for health workers, educators, community leaders, non-profit organisations, local governments and local businesses".
In this photo illustration a mobile messaging application Whatsapp logo is seen displayed on a smartphone | Image: SOPA Images/SIPA USA/PA ImagesThe site also offers general tips and resources for users around the world to reduce the spread of rumours and connect with accurate health information.
The Facebook-owned company said: "While people need to spend time apart, WhatsApp will continue to provide a simple, reliable, and secure way for people to communicate.
"These recommendations provide quick guidance on how small groups can make the most of WhatsApp features, and will be distributed by UNDP to those coordinating local efforts.
"In addition, WhatsApp is working with the WHO and UNICEF to provide messaging hotlines for people around the world to use directly."
To date, WhatsApp has worked with a number of national health ministries and NGOs to provide information to users via text in countries - including Singapore, Israel, South Africa, Brazil and Indonesia.
The grant to the IFCN will support fact-checking for the #CoronaVirusFacts Alliance, which spans more than 100 local organizations in at least 45 countries.
The money will support training to use the advanced features and expand the presence of IFCN certified fact-checking organisations
The head of WhatsApp, Will Cathcart, said: "We know that our users are reaching out on WhatsApp more than ever at this time of crisis, whether it’s to friends and loved ones, doctors to patients, or teachers to students.
"We wanted to provide a simple resource that can help connect people at this time.
"We are also pleased to be able to partner with the Poynter Institute to help grow the amount of fact-checking organizations on WhatsApp and to support their life saving work to debunk rumours.
"We will also continue to work directly with health ministries around the world for them to provide updates right within WhatsApp.”
And Achim Steiner, administrator of the UNDP, added: "Getting up to date information about COVID-19 to local communities around the world is a critical piece of the international community’s efforts to stem the spread of the virus.
"Partnerships with private sector companies like WhatsApp will help get this vital, real time information from the World Health Organisation and local health officials to billions of users around the globe."
