Did Strava Just Erase Millions of Race Records Due to Cheating?

Strava, the widely used exercise tracking application, has recently deleted over 3.5 million recordings due to users cheating to attain high rankings on its leaderboards. This action followed the discovery that some cyclists were using e-bikes instead of traditional bicycles and misclassifying activities recorded in vehicles as running or cycling workouts. The move aims to preserve the integrity of Strava’s segments and ensure fair competition among its approximately 180 million users worldwide.

Last updated: 17 October 2023 (BST)

What’s happening now

Strava has taken significant steps to address cheating on its platform by removing millions of fraudulent activity entries. This decision comes in response to users who exploited the system by using e-bikes for faster times and misrepresenting vehicle rides as legitimate workouts. The company is now employing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enhance its ability to detect irregular activities, aiming to restore trust in its leaderboards and maintain the competitive spirit among its users.

Key takeaways

Strava deleted over 3.5 million irregular activity recordings, including 2 million e-bike misclassifications.
New AI tools have been implemented to improve detection of illicit activity entries.
Users can manually report suspicious activities to maintain leaderboard integrity.

Timeline: how we got here

In recent months, Strava has observed a growing trend of users cheating to gain leaderboard positions, leading to the following significant dates:

October 2023: Strava deletes over 3.5 million entries flagged as irregular.
September 2023: Reports began surfacing about users exploiting e-bikes and vehicle rides.
August 2023: Strava's internal review of leaderboard accuracy initiated.

What’s new vs what’s known

New today/this week

Strava has implemented new AI detection methods that analyse various data points, such as heart rate and power output, to identify suspicious activity entries. This enhancement is part of a broader commitment to ensuring that leaderboard rankings reflect genuine athletic effort.

What was already established

The existence of fraudulent activities on Strava's platform has been a known issue, with users misclassifying e-bike rides as regular cycling workouts and logging vehicle rides as running. The community has expressed concern over the impact of these practices on the credibility of the platform.

Impact for the UK

Consumers and households

The integrity of fitness tracking apps like Strava is crucial for amateur athletes who rely on accurate data for motivation and competition. With the recent changes, UK users can expect a more level playing field, where achievements are based on genuine efforts rather than deceitful tactics.

Businesses and jobs

For businesses involved in the cycling and fitness industry, the credibility of platforms like Strava can influence customer engagement and brand loyalty. Companies that promote fair sporting practices may find this development beneficial for their reputation and customer trust.

Policy and regulation

While there are no specific regulations governing fitness app integrity, Strava’s actions may prompt other fitness-related platforms to review their own practices and implement similar measures to ensure fair competition among users.

Numbers that matter

3.5 million: Total activities deleted by Strava due to irregularities.
2 million: E-bike trips incorrectly logged as pedal-powered activities.
1.5 million: Entries involving runs or rides that actually took place in vehicles.
180 million: Total number of Strava users globally.
300,000: Athletes restored to top-ten positions after data reprocessing.

Definitions and jargon buster

KOM/QOM: King/Queen of the Mountain, a title awarded to the fastest cyclist on a specific segment.
e-bike: An electric bicycle that assists the rider's pedalling.
Strava: A fitness tracking app that allows users to record and share their workouts.

How to think about the next steps

Near term (0–4 weeks)

Users can expect to see the effects of Strava's new AI detection methods manifesting in leaderboard accuracy. The platform will continue to monitor activity submissions closely, and users should remain vigilant about reporting suspicious entries.

Medium term (1–6 months)

As the new detection technologies take effect, Strava may introduce additional features to further enhance user engagement and prevent cheating. Users should stay informed about updates that could impact their activity logging and leaderboard standings.

Signals to watch

Changes in the number of reported activities flagged as suspicious.
Updates from Strava regarding improvements in detection technology.
Community feedback on the effectiveness of the new measures.

Practical guidance

Do

Choose the correct activity type when logging rides or runs.
Report any suspicious activities you believe are false entries.
Stay informed about Strava’s updates and changes to its policies.

Don’t

Don’t attempt to manipulate your activity logs to gain an unfair advantage.
Don’t ignore notifications about changes to leaderboard standings.
Don’t upload activities that were not completed as recorded.

Checklist

Have I selected the correct activity type for my workout?
Am I aware of Strava’s reporting options for suspicious activities?
Do I understand how the new detection technology works?
Have I kept abreast of any recent updates from Strava?
Am I prepared for the potential for changes in my leaderboard standing?

Risks, caveats, and uncertainties

The effectiveness of Strava's new AI detection measures remains to be fully assessed. There may still be instances of fraudulent entries that slip through the cracks, and users should be cautious about the accuracy of their own activity logging. Cheating can undermine the community's trust, so it is crucial for users to engage honestly with the platform.

Bottom line

Strava's recent crackdown on cheating by deleting millions of fraudulent entries is a significant step towards restoring integrity on its platform. As users adapt to the new measures, it is essential to embrace fair practices to ensure that leaderboard achievements reflect genuine efforts. Moving forward, users should remain vigilant and engaged with the platform's updates to maintain a healthy competitive environment.

FAQs

What activities did Strava delete due to cheating?

Strava deleted over 3.5 million activities, including 2 million e-bike trips misclassified as standard cycling and 1.5 million activities logged as runs or rides that were actually completed in vehicles.

How does Strava's new detection system work?

The new detection system uses AI tools to analyse various data points, such as heart rate and power output, to identify suspicious activity entries and ensure leaderboard accuracy.

Can users report suspicious activities on Strava?

Yes, users can manually report questionable activities that they suspect may have been completed in a vehicle or misclassified.