Beyond messaging: Line focuses on users' peace of mind

From disaster alerts to mental care and fighting fake news, Line secures firmer footing in Southeast Asia

Line Alert, dedicated to disaster notifications, allows Thai users to stay informed about natural disasters across the nation through timely alerts. (Line Plus)

Global service Line has become one of the most popular messaging apps in Asia, with its presence soaring as an essential platform that enhances convenience in daily life.

According to Line Plus, the global arm of Japan-based LY Corp., Line is considered a must-have app, especially in Southeast Asia, where it offers a host of special features from disaster alerts to mental care and fighting misinformation.

The company launched Line Alert, an official account dedicated to disaster notifications, in October 2022 in Thailand, where torrential downpours can turn into major flooding.

The feature aims to allow Thai users to stay informed about natural disasters across the nation with timely alerts.

“Line has been more than a messenger, it’s been a lifeline,” said Tony Nipankul, a Line user in Thailand. “When my neighborhood was flooded, Line Alert came to the rescue, offering me timely warnings and guiding me to safety. It really saved me from a potentially dangerous situation.”

The service provides updates on various environmental conditions, such as an ultrafine dust advisory in Bangkok. More information on risk areas, emergency contact centers and nearby hospitals are also available.

Line Thailand, the local unit there, has also collaborated with government bodies including the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the Thai Meteorological Department and the Department of Environment, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

“Line Alert was developed to heighten public awareness and preparedness,” said Pitch Muenrak, head of corporate affairs at Line Thailand. “By disseminating near-real-time warnings from government agencies, it enables citizens to take necessary precautions for their safety and property.”

Line Mimin, a chatbot service based on professional consultations by human experts, handles over 1,000 user chats per week, providing invaluable support and feedback on mental health to over 14,500 users. (Line Plus)

In Indonesia, Line is joining forces with health care officials to help people’s mental health with its new service Line Mimin, a chatbot service based on professional consultations by human experts.

Line Mimin, launched in 2021, handles over 1,000 user chats per week, providing invaluable support and feedback to over 14,500 users so far, Line said.

Shinta Maulani Rafeyfa, a Line user in Bandung, Indonesia, reflected on a period when she grappled with personal issues. "Line Mimin has been very helpful for me in dealing with small issues I face every day, especially those related to relationships with friends, partners, or family," she said.

"The responses are humanlike, not robotic, helping me like a real friend.”

Since its 2019 launch, Line Fact Checker has attracted over 800,000 users in Taiwan, with some 170,000 inquiries made. (Line Plus)

In the meantime, Line has played a role in fighting against phishing scams and misinformation in Taiwan, having launched the nation’s largest fact-checking service, Line Fact Checker, in May 2019.

Users can verify suspicious messages received via Line and share verified information with family and friends. Key statistics are also offered throughout the fact-checking process.

Over 800,000 users had subscribed to the service as of November 2023, with some 170,000 inquiries so far, the company said.

The service comes as part of Line’s efforts to help improve users’ media literacy in the ever-evolving digital age, said Jimmy Huang, a Line engineer involved in developing the service.

"Rumors may persist, but Line Fact Checker provides users with an intuitive and user-friendly tool to verify questionable information,” said Huang.

"Line Fact Checker allows the public to conveniently verify suspicious messages received in groups or chat rooms, including misinformation related to the upcoming presidential election in Taiwan," said Charles Yes, founder and editor-in-chief of MyGoPen, a fact-checking NGO that works with Line. "Our aim is to work with Line together to maintain high credibility and assist the public in discerning between true and false information."

Meanwhile, to further expand its reach and ensure higher quality news on Line Taiwan, it has also joined hands with The Associated Press, a trusted global news wire.

By Jie Ye-eun(yeeun@heraldcorp.com)