Matt Weiss, a former co-offensive coordinator at Michigan, has been indicted on 24 counts for allegedly hacking into the personal information of thousands of athletes over nearly eight years. This news comes after a lengthy investigation, which began when Weiss was fired in January 2023.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced the indictment. Acting U.S. Attorney Julie Beck emphasized their commitment to tackling cyber crimes, stating, “We will aggressively prosecute computer hacking to protect the private accounts of our citizens.”
Weiss is accused of accessing databases from over 100 colleges, gathering sensitive information on more than 150,000 athletes. With this data, he allegedly accessed personal accounts of over 2,000 individuals, including their social media and email accounts. Prosecutors claim that Weiss downloaded intimate photos and videos meant only for private sharing.
FBI Special Agent Cheyvoryea Gibson highlighted the extensive collaboration that went into the investigation. The FBI Detroit Cyber Task Force worked closely with the University of Michigan Police to ensure community safety.
This incident isn’t isolated; it reflects a growing concern about privacy in the digital age. According to a 2023 survey from the Pew Research Center, 81% of Americans feel they have little to no control over their personal data. High-profile hacking cases like this one have sparked debates on how to better protect sensitive information online.
Weiss’s charges include 14 counts of unauthorized access and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he could face significant prison time, with potential sentences of up to five years for unauthorized access and two years for identity theft.
As this case unfolds, it’s a stark reminder of the importance of digital security and the need for stronger protections against cyber threats. For more detailed insights on privacy legislation and online safety, you can visit resources like the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for guidelines on safeguarding personal data.
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