“The level of abuse our athletes are facing online is unacceptable"
British athletes will soon be protected from online abuse by a new AI-powered app that detects and removes harmful comments in real time.
UK Sport has invested a “significant six-figure sum” in Social Protect, an app designed to shield athletes from social media abuse across multiple platforms.
The funding body confirmed the protection will be available to all funded sport in the UK.
The investment follows a competitive tender process and builds on measures already in place for Team GB and Paralympic GB athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The technology will now be expanded ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics and Paralympics.
Social Protect works across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and Discord. It deletes abusive comments in under a second using a “dynamic, personally customisable” database of more than two million harmful phrases in over 100 languages.
Dr Kate Baker, Director of Performance and People at UK Sport, said:
“The level of abuse our athletes are facing online is unacceptable – to do nothing about this is not an option.
“Our partnership with Social Protect shields athletes from abuse to an extent never before seen in British sport and we are fiercely proud to be pioneering in this space.
“Social Protect are world leaders in creating safe digital spaces and their cutting-edge technology ensures that our athletes are protected – not just at Games time, but all the time.
“This is a significant investment for UK Sport and sits right at the heart of our commitment to ensure athletes have the right support to be the best versions of themselves on and off the field of play.”
How Does It Work?
Social Protect removes harmful content before it can be seen by athletes, with the aim of safeguarding their mental wellbeing and allowing them to engage online without fear of targeted abuse.
UK Sport said the technology helps create a safer digital environment at a time when online harassment of high-profile athletes remains widespread.
The protections will also extend beyond individual athletes.
Major sporting events hosted in the UK will be able to use Social Protect to moderate official event channels and reduce abuse directed at competitors and organisers.
The UK is set to host several major tournaments over the next decade, including Euro 2028 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035.
Organisers of these events will now be able to benefit from the same AI-driven safeguards.
Shane Britten, CEO of Social Protect, said: “Abuse is abuse, whether it happens on the field or in a comment section.
“We built Social Protect to give people control over their own digital boundaries and to stop harmful content before it ever reaches them.
“We are delighted to be partnering with UK Sport and protecting the nation’s top athletes. UK Sport is truly leading the way.
“They studied the problem and came to us for a real solution: to protect their athletes.”
“We’re protecting their athletes around the clock, taking social media abuse off their plates and placing a protective bubble around them and their families so they can stay focused on what they do best – performing at the highest level.”
UK Sport said the move reflects its wider duty of care to athletes as they prepare for major international competition.
The body added that protecting performers off the field is now seen as essential to sustaining elite performance on it.
Loading ...