Checklist 446: Meta Warnings and Merit Badges

Meta Adds Anti-Scam Safeguards to WhatsApp and Messenger

Meta is rolling out new protections across WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger to curb a growing wave of social engineering scams that exploit video calls and fake customer service accounts.

According to 9to5Mac, WhatsApp will now display warnings when users attempt to share their screen with an unknown contact during a video call. The move aims to stop scammers posing as support staff from tricking victims into revealing sensitive details such as banking information or verification codes.

Meta says it’s also testing AI-powered scam detection in Messenger, designed to flag suspicious chats. When triggered, users can send recent messages for review; if potential fraud is detected, the app provides educational guidance and options to block or report the offender.

The company paired these updates with a reminder of basic digital safety:

• Be wary of unsolicited messages or calls requesting personal data.
• Pause and consult someone you trust if pressured to act quickly.
• Always use official customer service channels instead of posting complaints or seeking help on social media, where scammers often lurk.

While it’s unsettling that such precautions are necessary, Meta’s proactive stance could help users spot red flags before costly mistakes occur — proving that sometimes, a well-timed warning beats a well-crafted scam.

Scouting America Embraces the Future with New AI and Cybersecurity Merit Badges

The organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America is stepping boldly into the digital age — and bringing its Scouts with it. Now called Scouting America, the group has unveiled two new merit badges dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity, signaling a major nod to the tech-driven world young people are growing up in.

According to Scouting America, the badges aim to help Scouts understand and safely navigate modern technology.

“Young people already use AI and face online risks every day. These new badges will help them understand how this technology works and how to stay safe online.”

The AI Merit Badge covers topics like:

• AI basics and history — from foundational concepts to real-world uses.
• Ethics and impact — exploring data privacy, bias, and how automation affects jobs.
• Career opportunities — highlighting the growing field of AI-related work.

Meanwhile, the Cybersecurity Merit Badge teaches Scouts to:

• Identify cyber threats like phishing, malware, and weak passwords.
• Apply practical security skills such as using firewalls and protecting data.
• Practice smart digital behavior, including avoiding cyberbullying and respecting intellectual property.
• Explore careers in cybersecurity, from analysts to digital crime investigators.

Both badges emphasize hands-on learning over theory — and they even tie into the organization’s new Scoutly AI Chatbot, an interactive tool offering real-time assistance as Scouts explore the topics.

From tents and compasses to firewalls and algorithms, Scouting America is proving that the “prepared” part of “Be Prepared” now includes being ready for the digital frontier.