Wimbledon Is Monitoring Social Media To Try To Protect Players From Cyberbullying

LONDON — For the first time this year, the All England Club is monitoring social media in an effort to help protect Wimbledon players from harassment.

“This will not appear in the public domain at all. We are not going to make a big deal out of it. However, we are scrolling social media for this type of stuff, which implies that we can obtain information we did not previously have. “We’re not just relying on what the player claims has happened to them,” tournament director Jamie Baker said Friday. “Also, if there is something of concern, that’s when our security (team) … can help do something about it.”

Wimbledon | AP News Image

Wimbledon Is Monitoring Social Media To Try To Protect Players From Cyberbullying

Baker compared the new endeavor to what the French Tennis Federation did during the French Open last year when it began paying a business to supply players with software that employs artificial intelligence to prevent unpleasant remarks.

“Tennis is doing a lot more of this now, so I think in general, for the athletes, it’s really positive that we’re taking this step,” said Baker, who used to be a player.

He said AI plays a role in the All England Club’s efforts in this area, but people also help monitor what’s being said about competitors online during the two-week Grand Slam competition, which ends on July 14.

Players can sign up for the service and request full scans of what is being shared on social media. Players report that messages might include rage expressed by gamblers who lost money on a specific match, racial insults, and even death threats.

“The basis of it is if they’ve got anything that we think is a concern or worth flagging, ultimately, it’s engaging with the player,” according to Baker. “The benefit of having it is, you do have the ability to … officially register what’s going on.”

Wimbledon | AP news Image

Wimbledon Is Monitoring Social Media To Try To Protect Players From Cyberbullying

Following a talk with the player, the tournament may contact the police if necessary. However, Baker declined to comment on whether this had already occurred.

“I guess, if it got to the point where there was any type of criminal activity,” Baker said, adding, “But that would be out of our hands.” We’d send that forward. But we’re not going to jump in and become the police.”

SOURCE – AP