Perplexity AI may have an answer for WhatsApp’s fake news problem

Perplexity AI

Perplexity AI has introduced a new feature to fact-check forwarded messages on WhatsApp. The tool, announced by Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas on X, lets users forward any message to +1 (833) 436-3285 and receive an instant fact-check.

“This is super useful when WhatsApp groups are filled with a ton of forwarded messages which could be misleading,” Srinivas wrote.

While Meta has made efforts to limit the reach of forwards—such as labelling forwarded messages and capping the number of people they can be sent to—fake news remains a persistent problem in private chats, especially in regions like India and Brazil. In fact, a user asked Srinivas on X whether the feature would work in India and the Perplexity CEO replied, "it should".

By integrating Perplexity’s AI into the mix, the company is essentially offering a real-time credibility check for group messages that often go unchallenged.

This move also positions Perplexity as more than just a ChatGPT alternative. It’s now actively embedding itself in real-world, high-impact use cases.

For instance, Perplexity AI recently launched a major update to its iOS app, marking the first time an AI-powered assistant can not only respond to questions but also take real-world actions on your iPhone. Dubbed Perplexity Assistant, the new feature can play media, draft emails, move calendar events, book rides, make reservations, and set reminders, all through voice commands.

Users can now say things like, “Play me that podcast where Marc Andreessen talks about browsers with Lex Fridman” or request specific clips like “the video of Katy Perry kissing the ground after landing from the rocket.”

The WhatsApp integration is another step by Perplexity in an attempt to differentiate it from other AI-powered chatbots.