Michigan’s Matt Weiss Under Fire: Class Action Lawsuit Filed for Alleged Cyber Crimes

Matt Weiss, a former assistant for the Ravens and a coach at Michigan, is facing serious legal troubles. He has been charged with 24 counts, including unauthorized access to computers and identity theft. This unsettling situation has led to a class-action lawsuit against both him and the University of Michigan.

In the lawsuit, two former Michigan athletes, a gymnast and a soccer player, claim that the university failed to properly supervise Weiss. They argue that he violated their rights under Title IX and other civil laws, including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The complaint states that the negligence of the university allowed Weiss to target female athletes and access their personal information without permission.

Allegations indicate that Weiss started accessing private photos and videos of female athletes as far back as 2015. Reports suggest he may have accessed data concerning over 150,000 athletes—a staggering number that raises serious privacy concerns.

Weiss’s coaching career began when he served as a graduate assistant under Jim Harbaugh at Stanford in 2007. He then joined the Ravens coaching staff before returning to work with Harbaugh at Michigan in 2021. His role included coaching quarterbacks and, later, serving as co-offensive coordinator. However, his tenure ended abruptly in January 2023 after the university’s investigation into his computer activities was launched.

This case highlights larger issues of trust and accountability in sports. Experts in sports management point out that institutions must prioritize the safety and privacy of their athletes. Research shows that the mishandling of sensitive information can lead to long-lasting emotional impacts on victims.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the case has sparked conversations on social media. Many users express outrage over the allegations and demand stronger protections for athletes. This case could set significant precedents for how universities handle misconduct and privacy violations in the future.

If you want to learn more about the implications of this case for athletic programs and student rights, you can read insights from the U.S. Department of Education’s Title IX regulations which aim to protect students from gender-based discrimination.

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