Rugby Australia signs landmark deal, artificial intelligence set to protect players and officials from online abuse

Social media abuse is a sporting scourge, and now Rugby Australia has made a big move towards catching comments before they do any harm.

An artificial intelligence program that picked up more than 1500 abusive comments on social media towards rugby players and officials during a trial will now be available Australia wide after Rugby Australia signed a landmark deal in a bid to end the online scourge.

Sports stars across all codes endure abuse daily, from racial to personal attacks.

Now the AI-powered social media protection app, Social Protect, will be accessible to all clubs, staff, volunteers and participants, from Wallabies stars down to community rugby to combat the increased harassment across social media.

Social Protect detects and deletes harmful, offensive and abusive comments from a user’s social media profile, posts or pages in real time, with the deleted comments recorded in an admin portal.

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh says social media abuse has no place in rugby. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

That can then be accessed by Rugby Australia for law and policy enforcement purposes, opening the door for more penalties for online abusers.

The deal was signed after a two-month trial across Rugby Australia’s national team social media accounts during which Social Protect isolated more than 1500 comments.

“This groundbreaking partnership is a significant step forward in Rugby Australia’s commitment to providing a safe and respectful environment for everyone involved in our game – from Wallabies and Wallaroos to grassroots players, volunteers and referees,” Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said.

“Social Protect gives us the tools to actively prevent harm, rather than simply waiting to respond after it happens.

“By making the app available across the entire rugby ecosystem, we’re proud to be leading the way in Australian sport and sending a clear message that abuse and harassment – online or offline – have no place in rugby.”

Charlotte Caslick has spoken about her dealings with online abuse. Picture: Christopher Pike/Getty Images

Social Project founder and chief executive Shane Britten said the app was built for an organisation to “safeguard its people’’.

“Abuse is abuse, whether it happens on the field or in a comment section,” he said.

“Rugby Australia’s whole-of-sport adoption is a clear sign that participant safety now extends beyond the sidelines.

“This partnership proves what’s possible when an organisation truly commits to safeguarding its people.”

Originally published as Rugby Australia signs landmark deal, artificial intelligence set to protect players and officials from online abuse