Rugby Australia Signs AI Deal Set to Protect Players and Officials from Online Abuse

In a move towards removing online abuse in sports, Rugby Australia has entered into an agreement to roll out an innovative artificial intelligence program, Social Protect, across the nation.

This AI-driven social media protection tool has already demonstrated its capabilities during a two-month trial, identifying over 1,500 abusive comments directed at rugby players and officials, and is now set to be available to all levels of rugby, from professional leagues to community clubs.

Commenting on the partnership, CEO of Rugby Australia, Phil Waugh, said: “This groundbreaking initiative is a pivotal advancement in our commitment to cultivating a safe and respectful environment for all involved in the game—from elite players like the Wallabies and Wallaroos to grassroots participants, volunteers, and officials.”

“Social Protect equips us with the necessary tools to proactively prevent harm, rather than merely reacting to incidents post-factum.”

“Abuse and harassment, whether online or offline, have no place in rugby,” Waugh said.

Founder and chief executive of Social Protect, Shane Britten, reiterated the app’s purpose, stating it was designed specifically for organisations to “safeguard their people.”

He highlighted the broader implications of Rugby Australia’s adaptation of the app, noting: “Abuse is abuse, regardless of whether it occurs on the field or in a comment section.”

“This whole-of-sport adoption is a clear indication that participant safety extends beyond the sidelines.

“This partnership exemplifies what can be achieved when an organisation genuinely commits to safeguarding its community,” Britten noted.

The number of online abuse, encompassing racial slurs and personal attacks, is a daily reality faced by sports figures across all codes.

Social Protect aims to confront this challenge head-on by providing a comprehensive protection solution for players, staff, volunteers, and participants in the rugby community.

The application operates by scanning social media profiles, posts, and pages in real-time, detecting harmful, offensive, and abusive comments.

Once identified, these harmful comments are automatically deleted, with detailed records maintained in an administrative portal.

This data can then be utilised by Rugby Australia for enforcing laws and policies against online abuse, potentially leading to increased accountability for perpetrators of online harassment.

The deal was formalised following the successful trial involving Rugby Australia’s national team’s social media accounts, during which Social Protect effectively filtered out the reported abusive content.

As Rugby Australia takes this proactive step, it sets a precedent for other sporting organisations in Australia and beyond, showcasing the potential of technology in fostering a safer environment for athletes and supporters alike.

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