Team GB’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes will now receive AI-driven protection from online abuse. UK Sport has signed a £300,000 deal to provide thousands of athletes free access to Social Protect, an app that detects and hides abusive social media posts through to the Los Angeles 2028 Games cycle. UK Sport director Kate Baker said the level of abuse had become “unacceptable”.
How the App Filters Abuse
Social Protect uses artificial intelligence to scan Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok in real time. It checks posts against a database of over two million abusive terms and automatically hides offending comments from athletes’ feeds. Users can also add custom words they find distressing. The tool works quietly in the background, similar to antivirus software, but it does not cover X (formerly Twitter) and cannot filter abusive private messages.
Athletes Welcome Extra Safety
Online harassment has long affected athletes across sports. Badminton star Kirsty Gilmour, who has faced death threats and targeted messages from gamblers, says the new tool provides reassurance. She explained that even comments attacking her performance can be damaging, and being able to filter specific words offers a sense of safety—especially when travelling abroad.
Support Beyond the Games
UK Sport says the aim is to protect athletes’ mental wellbeing throughout their entire preparation cycle, not only during the Olympics. The app will also be available to coaches, staff and family members, extending support around major events. Baker added that the agreement reinforces UK Sport’s commitment to ensuring athletes can perform at their best on and off the field.
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