Justice Department discovers numerous intimate photos and videos during investigation into former Michigan coach hacking

The Justice Department’s investigation into former Baltimore Ravens and Michigan assistant football coach Matt Weiss revealed that he had hacked into the personal accounts of more than 2,000 college athletes, stealing thousands of “candid and intimate” photos and videos. According to a court filing in a lawsuit against Weiss and the university, the Justice Department’s Mega Victim Case Assistance Program found that Weiss had seized these photos and videos from his electronic devices and cloud storage accounts. Many of the images showed victims naked or engaged in explicit sexual acts. Weiss had pleaded not guilty to a 24-count federal indictment, which was announced more than two years after he was fired from his coaching position.

The indictment against Weiss stated that he had gained unauthorized access to student athlete databases from over 100 colleges and universities maintained by a third-party vendor. By downloading personal information and data from more than 150,000 athletes, Weiss was able to access the information of over 2,000 athletes, including their social media, email, and cloud storage accounts. Prosecutors noted that Weiss predominantly targeted women in his alleged crimes. Weiss had coached in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens for more than a decade before joining Jim Harbaugh at Michigan in 2020. However, he was fired in 2023 during the investigation into the hacking allegations.

Weiss is accused of committing the crimes from 2015 to January 2023 and is facing 14 counts of unauthorized access to computers and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft. Each of the unauthorized access charges carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, while each count of identity theft can lead to up to two years of imprisonment. The investigation into Weiss’s actions has shocked the sports world, with Jim Harbaugh expressing his disturbance at the allegations against his former assistant coach. The case highlights the importance of safeguarding personal information in an era where cybercrimes can have severe consequences for victims.

The revelation of Weiss’s theft of intimate photos and videos from college athletes has caused outrage among the victims and their families. The email shared by lawyers representing the victims detailed the extent of the material that Weiss had seized, leading to concerns about the privacy and security of individuals in sports and beyond. The case serves as a warning about the dangers of cybercrimes and the importance of implementing robust cybersecurity measures to protect personal data. The charges against Weiss are a sobering reminder of the potential consequences of unauthorized access to electronic devices and the exploitation of sensitive information.

The impact of Weiss’s alleged crimes extends beyond the legal ramifications, as it has raised questions about the culture within the sports industry and the responsibility of coaches and staff members to uphold ethical standards. The case has prompted discussions about the need for stronger regulations and oversight to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The victims of Weiss’s hacking have been left to grapple with the violation of their privacy and the emotional distress caused by the theft of their personal images. The case has underscored the need for institutions and individuals to prioritize cybersecurity and protect against malicious actors seeking to exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain.

As the legal proceedings against Weiss continue, there is a growing awareness of the potential impact of cybercrimes on individuals, organizations, and communities. The case has shed light on the vulnerability of personal data in an increasingly digital world and the need for proactive measures to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. The Justice Department’s investigation into Weiss’s actions highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for their crimes and seeking justice for the victims affected by such violations. The repercussions of Weiss’s alleged hacking activities will likely have far-reaching consequences, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures and vigilance in protecting against cyber threats.