Sort of; whataboutism is responding to every criticism with "what about [that thing the other side supposedly did]" as a way of never answering any criticism.

Sort of; whataboutism is responding to every criticism with "what about [that thing the other side supposedly did]" as a way of never answering any criticism. But this is a little different: the reflexive "both sides do it" statement requires no thought, but some people think it makes them look enlightened and fair to always say it, with or without evidence.