WhatsApp’s latest feature helps users verify images, combating misinformation effectively.
WhatsApp has introduced a powerful new feature for beta users on Android, enabling them to perform a reverse image search on photos they receive.
This “Search on Web” function allows users to easily verify the authenticity of images, a tool aimed at combating misinformation.
By leveraging Google’s reverse image search, WhatsApp gives users a convenient way to check if a photo has been manipulated or circulated with misleading intent.
What is the ‘Search on Web’ Feature?
With the latest update (version 2.24.23.13) on WhatsApp beta for Android, beta testers now have access to an image lookup feature. When viewing an image in a chat, users can tap a few options to search for identical or similar images online.
This feature, however, requires user permission to upload the image, maintaining a privacy-first approach.
How to Use the Image Lookup Tool
To utilize this feature, beta users must install the latest WhatsApp beta version, open a chat, and select an image.
By tapping the three-dot menu and choosing “Search on web,” users can initiate a Google-powered reverse image search.
However, the feature is still in limited release and is controlled by server-side updates, meaning not all beta users can access it yet.
A Step Toward Combating Misinformation
This tool goes beyond WhatsApp’s recent cosmetic changes, offering a practical solution to verify the source of images.
Users can now identify edited images quickly, helping to prevent the spread of misinformation.
WhatsApp has emphasized user privacy, stating that it does not access or store images sent to Google for reverse searching.
Currently available only to Android beta testers, WhatsApp’s image lookup feature is expected to roll out to all users soon, providing an added layer of security and reliability in messaging.
