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Associated Press
28-03-2025
- Associated Press
First Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against University of Michigan for Massive Privacy Breach Affecting Thousands of Female Athletes
Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC has filed the first class action lawsuit against the University of Michigan CHICAGO, IL, March 27, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC has filed the first class action lawsuit against the University of Michigan, the Regents of the University of Michigan, Matthew Weiss, and Keffer Development Services, LLC, alleging a massive breach of privacy affecting over 3,300 individuals, primarily female student-athletes. The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Case No. 2:25-cv-10806), alleges that defendants allowed unauthorized access to sensitive personal information, private photographs, and videos of thousands of student-athletes. According to the complaint, Matthew Weiss, a former University of Michigan employee, allegedly accessed—without authorization—the social media accounts, emails, cloud storage, and personal information of thousands of female student-athletes over approximately eight years (2015-2023). The complaint alleges that Weiss targeted female athletes and downloaded private photographs and videos that were never intended to be shared beyond the plaintiffs' intimate partners. 'This case represents one of the most significant breaches of student-athlete privacy in recent memory,' said Parker Stinar, lead attorney for the plaintiffs. 'Our clients placed their trust in the University of Michigan and its vendors, only to have their most personal and private information compromised due to what we allege was negligence and recklessness.' The lawsuit alleges that the University of Michigan, its Regents, and Keffer Development Services failed to implement adequate security measures, proper supervision, or employee monitoring that would have protected the plaintiffs' privacy. According to the complaint, Weiss allegedly: Gained unauthorized access to student-athlete databases maintained by Keffer Development Services Downloaded personally identifiable information (PII) and medical data of more than 150,000 athletes Obtained passwords used by athletes to access computer systems Used this access to download private photographs and videos The lawsuit includes claims for violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the Stored Communications Act, Title IX, and various state laws involving invasion of privacy, negligence, and conversion. The plaintiffs are seeking damages exceeding $100 million, along with costs, interest, and attorney fees. The class action complaint seeks to represent all persons whose personal information, images, data, social media, or videos were accessed by Weiss without authorization. 'This lawsuit is not only about seeking justice for those whose information was stolen but also about forcing the University of Michigan to confront its systemic failures and ensure such breaches never happen again. The case will hold the institution accountable for its lack of appropriate safeguards and transparency regarding the security of its student-athletes' personal and medical data. In the face of such violations, SGGH is committed to turning over every stone in our pursuit of justice. Through litigation, we will uncover the flaws in Michigan's cyber security protocols that led to this massive breach, and demand real change to protect vulnerable individuals from similar harms in the future. We will fight relentlessly to secure justice for all those affected.' said Parker Stinar, lead attorney for the plaintiffs. This case highlights the growing concern around data privacy and the security of personal information in the digital age, particularly in university settings where students entrust institutions with their personal data. About Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC is a law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals in complex litigation matters. The firm has extensive experience in class action lawsuits, privacy law, and representing victims of institutional failures. Managing Partner, Parker Stinar, previously led the University of Michigan/Robert Anderson sexual abuse matter which resolved for $490 million dollars for more than 1,000 individuals. For more information, visit
New York Times
27-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Michigan, Matt Weiss sued again by 2 more former athletes alleging account hack
Two more former University of Michigan female athletes have filed a class-action lawsuit against the university, its board of regents and former offensive coordinator Matt Weiss after Weiss was indicted on complaints of accessing intimate photos of thousands of students. The federal suit was filed Wednesday on behalf of two unnamed athletes — a volleyball player and a soccer player. Both played from 2020 to 2024. The 42-page suit also names a third-party vendor, Keffer Development Services, as a defendant. Advertisement The suit echoes allegations made in a separate class-action lawsuit filed last week by two other former Wolverines athletes, a soccer player and a gymnast. That complaint was filed Friday, a day after a 24-count indictment was announced against Weiss. He's accused of using students' information to hack into email, social media and cloud storage accounts, giving him access to private information, including intimate photos and videos, as well as medical data. The latest complaint said that Weiss 'primarily targeted female college athletes, so he posed a greater threat' to the unnamed plaintiffs, who were both 'prominent female student-athletes' for the Wolverines. 'The information that Weiss acquired due to the Non-Individual Defendants' negligence is highly confidential, personal, and distressing when exposed without authorization, causing humiliation and embarrassment,' the suit said. Damages are expected to top $5 million, according to the complaint, and affect more than 100 other potential plaintiffs. Weiss was fired in January 2023 after a report of suspicious computer activity at Schembechler Hall, Michigan's football facility. Authorities obtained warrants to search Weiss' residence in Ann Arbor and seized multiple devices as part of a two-year investigation that produced last week's federal indictment. Weiss was hired in 2021 as Michigan's quarterbacks coach after 11 years with the Baltimore Ravens and was promoted to co-offensive coordinator the following season. Michigan won the Big Ten and appeared in the College Football Playoff in both seasons. He started his coaching career as a graduate assistant under Jim Harbaugh at Stanford.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Yahoo
Former Ravens, Michigan assistant Matt Weiss pleads not guilty to cyber fraud
Former Ravens and Michigan assistant Matt Weiss pleaded not guilty on Monday to 24 counts relating to cyber fraud. Via Dan Wetzel of Weiss was released on a $10,000 bond. He also was required to surrender his passport, and to allow officials to place software on his computer to monitor his Internet use. Prosecutors allege that Weiss's misconduct dates back to 2015. He allegedly accessed the personal accounts of "thousands" of NCAA student-athletes. He allegedly targeted specific female athletes, accessing personal and intimate photos and videos. He allegedly exploited the Keffer Development Services system that keeps medical data for student-athletes at roughly 100 schools. He allegedly cracked Keffer's code for obtaining and guessing passwords. Weiss faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on 14 different charges, along with another two years behind bars on 10 additional charges. Weiss has worked for both of the Harbaugh brothers. The relationship began with Jim at Stanford, from 2007 through 2008. Weiss then worked for John and the Ravens, from 2009 through 2020. Weiss rejoined Jim, at Michigan from 2021 through 2022.
NBC Sports
25-03-2025
- NBC Sports
Former Ravens, Michigan assistant Matt Weiss pleads not guilty to cyber fraud
Former Ravens and Michigan assistant Matt Weiss pleaded not guilty on Monday to 24 counts relating to cyber fraud. Via Dan Wetzel of Weiss was released on a $10,000 bond. He also was required to surrender his passport, and to allow officials to place software on his computer to monitor his Internet use. Prosecutors allege that Weiss's misconduct dates back to 2015. He allegedly accessed the personal accounts of 'thousands' of NCAA student-athletes. He allegedly targeted specific female athletes, accessing personal and intimate photos and videos. He allegedly exploited the Keffer Development Services system that keeps medical data for student-athletes at roughly 100 schools. He allegedly cracked Keffer's code for obtaining and guessing passwords. Weiss faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on 14 different charges, along with another two years behind bars on 10 additional charges. Weiss has worked for both of the Harbaugh brothers. The relationship began with Jim at Stanford, from 2007 through 2008. Weiss then worked for John and the Ravens, from 2009 through 2020. Weiss rejoined Jim, at Michigan from 2021 through 2022.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
2 former Michigan student-athletes say intimate images were stolen by ex-football coach in lawsuit
Former University of Michigan assistant football coach Matt Weiss pleaded not guilty to federal charges Monday as two women filed a class-action lawsuit alleging they were victims of a scheme to access private student accounts. Weiss was charged in a 24-count indictment last week after federal prosecutors accused him of accessing the digital accounts of 3,300 student-athletes to download their intimate photos and videos. He pleaded not guilty on all charges and was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond, court records show. Two women sued Weiss, the university, its Board of Regents and the company that managed the information of student athletes Weiss is accused of using to download personal information. The women are "embarrassed, ashamed, humiliated, and mortified" that their private information has been accessed by total strangers and third parties, the lawsuit says. Federal investigators accused Weiss of using the passwords of his colleagues with elevated access to the student-athlete database to download personally identifiable information and medical data of more than 150,000 athletes. According to Weiss' indictment, he used the information to gain unauthorized access to more than 3,000 accounts belonging to students and alumni. He then downloaded their private, intimate photos or videos from their email, social media or cloud storage accounts, the indictment said. Weiss was fired in January 2023, The Associated Press reported. The two women, identified only as "Jane Doe 1" and "Jane Doe 2," filed the suit in the Eastern District of Michigan as a potential class action claim. One is a former Michigan gymnast from 2017 to 2018, and the other is a Michigan soccer player who was on the school's team from 2017 to 2023. Their suit alleges multiple violations of the law by Weiss and the other parties, including violations of Title IX protections, violations of their civil rights and violation of civil laws such as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The University of Michigan and Keffer Development Services were accused of gross negligence in their handling of student data. 'The recklessness and negligence and misconduct of the Regents, the University, and Keffer in these respects enabled Weiss to target female college athletes to obtain their private and sensitive information without authorization, including but not limited to Plaintiffs,' the suit says. Kay Jarvis, the university's public affairs director, said the school has not been served with the suit and "cannot comment on pending litigation." An attorney for Weiss did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the case Monday. Keffer Development Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This article was originally published on
