FBI teams with the NCAA to help athletes avoid sexual exploitation
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The FBI is teaming with the NCAA to start a program to combat sexual exploitation of college athletes whose private images are increasingly found and targeted online in an era when they use their name, image and…
The FBI and NCAA have joined forces to launch a new program aimed at preventing the sexual exploitation of college athletes whose private images are being targeted online. This collaboration comes as athletes increasingly use their name, image, and likeness to boost their marketability, making them attractive targets for online criminals.
The FBI highlighted that bad actors typically use phishing tactics, as well as password and PIN theft, and often pose as social media customer service representatives demanding password resets. Assistant Director Shohini Sinha explained that athletes' large social media followings, coupled with the increased exposure from NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) activities, makes them particularly vulnerable to exploitation.
The FBI warns that hackers can not only steal images but also sell them, leading to sextortion—a form of harassment, stalking, or even posting stolen content onto athletes' own social media accounts. Neither the NCAA nor the FBI currently have specific statistics on the number of athletes who have fallen victim to these sextortion plots.
Their collaboration will focus on educating athletes about the risks and providing support for those impacted by such crimes. NCAA Vice President of Enforcement Jon Duncan emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating that if they can play even a small role in preventing these crimes or assisting those affected, they are committed to making a difference.
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