WhatsApp Hoax - Meta AI

From Simon Lambourn

Recently the webmasters (Tim C, Tony H and myself) have been contacted by several Sou'Westers about a message (which we now think is a hoax) saying "you must turn on WhatsApp Enhanced Security by [some date] to prevent or Meta AI can read all your personal and group chats".

We did some research, because we care about privacy but also "enhanced security" means nobody can save photos or GPX files from chats, which is something many of us use a lot to communicate about rides.

It turns out to be one of a long line of Facebook and WhatsApp hoax messages claiming that something will change by next week (or whatever) and you have to do something - write a message on your Facebook or change some setting to prevent Facebook/WhatsApp using all your information.

If you google "whatsapp enhanced security hoax meta AI" you will see that the claim has been debunked by several sources (admittedly unknown sources to me).   But also if you google "can Meta AI read my WhatsApp chats" you get a direct answer from Meta in their Frequently Accessed Questions page:

Only messages that mention @Meta AI, or that people choose to share with Meta AI, can be read by Meta. Meta can’t read any other messages in your personal chats. When you share your personal messages for AI features that use Private Processing technology, Meta can’t read or access the messages you’ve shared.‬ Learn more in this article.

So we are not going to implement Enhanced Security because it would severely reduce the usefulness of the club's WhatsApp groups.   If we were, say, a military organisation, (mentioning no names) then perhaps it would be a good idea.

I thought it was worth writing this post for two reasons.

1. There is a lot of false information, and false people, false experts and organisations out there trying to deceive you.  Please, check the source and check the facts.
2. Regardless of this particular hoax, you should still be careful about what you share online - do you know and trust ALL the people you are sharing it with?

Stay suspicious!  Stay safe.   And please do ask around if you have any concerns or questions.

Down on the farm; Nonsuch Moderates 6 September to Garsons Farm

Wednesday's storms must just have been a figment of the imagination, because Saturday was a super day for cycling, dry, not too hot, not too windy.  As a result of which we had a good turnout at Nonsuch Mansion, over tweny riders in all with Colin Q and Tony H coming along just to meet everybody.  We had a newcomer, too; Jenny rides with Portsmouth CTC and we were glad to have her along.

Garsons Farm was on the schedule for the longer ride and Telegraph Track for the short one.  We ran three groups.  Nigel T, cleared by the doc to be back in the saddle (and the MG driving seat) took the short ride, and Steve W took half a dozen boy and girl racers off to Garsons; I offered a more modest paced ride to the same place.

We let Steve's group go first, because they'd only be embarrassed when they couldn't overtake us, and then off we went, reassembling as is my wont at the North Western exit of Nonsuch Park for a headcount and to appoint a back marker (Maggie).  She was going to be minding Roger and Anna, Ken J, Alyson, the other Colin, John B, Jan and Jenny and with yours truly up front, that made ten.  And I must have got the pace about right because after being temporarily split by the Ewell lights we stuck together pretty well, despite heavier than usual traffic.

We took the route past Chessington North, over the A3 on Clayton Road, down the hill to Claygate and then carrrying on until we hit the A 244 to take us in to Esher.  There Roger and Anna stayed for coffee, allowing Roger and his new pacemaker to opt out of coming up Lammas Lane on the way back.  Garsons was as it always is, bike parking long distant from the restaurant and the service a bit slow but proper pots of tea and good cake.  At least they had not yet got out the Christmas fare.  The boy (and girl) racers were already there, of course. 

 

The Racers at tea

We had our tea and cake in the sunshine and let them go before climbing the hill ourselves (which wouldn't be much at all were it not for the traffic) and rendezvousing successfully with Anna and Roger on the green at the top.  By now John had gone off to do his own thing so there were nine of us on the way home through Weston Green and Long Ditton, Surbiton and Berrylands.  

The Moderates on the way home at Weston Green

We split at Worcester Park, the others going up Green Lane towards their homes while Maggie and I went with Jenny and Jan back to Nonsuch.

A really enjoyable afternoon's cycling.  Great to have seen Tony on a bike again.  Excellent to know that the magic mushrooms have enabled John's knees to recover sufficiently to have him discharged from hospital care, and good company.  We very much hope to see Jenny back soon.

All Day Ride to Windsor September 13

 

Windsor Ride

Saturday 13th September

Come and join for the next all-day Saturday ride to Windsor on 13th September.

The ride will be pretty, and pretty flat - on and off road - and include lots of beauty, interest and surprises along the way.

The route is 48 miles from our start in Kingston - so many may like to take the train on the way back (Windsor & Eton Riverside to Clapham Junction/Waterloo) - with other options as we come back.

We will meet at Canbury Secret Cafe in Kingston 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/axh3oCJgBDNfyDz39?g_st=ipc,

have coffee and tea at the Ferry Cafe, Sunbury on Thames, 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5zEV5usNoRQcMMdi6?g_st=ipc ,

and lunch at Cinnamon in Windsor. There will be a guide for those who would like it from Nonsuch Park to Kingston.

For anyone like me who likes a car-bike-car option, you can do a 33 mile round trip from the Ferry Cafe. Please private message me on WhatsApp if you’d like to join for the ride - and let me know where you’d like to join (Nonsuch, Canbury Gardens, Kingston or the Ferry, Shepperton) and if you would like to be in the fast group (whizzers) - or the regulars (smell the roses).

 

Madeleine

07533673919