Govt Talks To Fb, Google, WhatsApp For Virus Data Blitz

The federal government has roped in know-how firm Google and on the spot messaging platform WhatsApp, and is in talks with Fb to run large info outreach campaigns to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, three authorities officers advised ET. The US-based search large will ship near 300 million notifications a day to customers containing info on the pandemic, a senior official stated. The federal government has additionally launched a Chatbot on Corona on Whatsapp referred to as MyGov Corona Helpdesk. Saying Hello on WhatsApp to 9013151515 will get automated response on queries associated to Corona, an authorities official advised ET.

Google has additionally customised its India search web page with the marketing campaign “DO THE FIVE. Assist cease coronavirus” that additionally comprises a hyperlink to the Ministry of Well being web page giving necessary info on the pandemic, together with real-time knowledge on the variety of optimistic circumstances, their location and reported deaths.

“The federal government is exploring all doable know-how options to take care of the up to date problem of Covid-19,” stated one other authorities official, including that the Large Tech corporations had approached the federal government with some recommendations on the way to create consciousness.

Whereas the Google initiative was launched on Thursday, talks are on for collaborating with another massive platforms similar to WhatsApp and Fb, the individual added.India is among the largest markets for Google. With 400 million customers, it’s the largest marketplace for WhatsApp. Fb has over 260 million customers within the nation.

“The corporate had approached the federal government for partnership on this and it is usually altering search algorithms to supply info from genuine sources such because the Ministry of Well being and Household Welfare on the high of its search rating,” stated a authorities official.

“To assist floor authoritative info throughout these distinctive occasions, we’re working carefully with all authorities ministries together with the PMO,” a spokesperson for Google advised ET.

Aside from the ‘Do The 5’ social marketing campaign, Google has additionally issued Push Notifications on the Google App for Android and iOS customers in India to focus on this necessary info. Different initiatives embody SOS Alerts, country-specific Search Developments pages and a promo card on the YouTube Homepage that hyperlinks out to the MoHFW web site for up-to-date info, the spokesperson added.

―Newpaper24