Current and former AFL players involved in a massive leak of personal and private photos were likely informed of the risks of sharing intimate photos online.
The revelation comes as one of the players involved in the scandal said he was “very disappointed”.
It’s a gross invasion of privacy. It’s just not fair,” he told the Announce sun.
Channel 7 commentator and former Essendon player Jobe Watson said he and his teammates were told they could lose control of their private footage.
“We’ve been told that once something leaves your phone, it goes into the public domain, even if you think it’s a private message,” he told Sunrise on Thursday.
“You lose control over that. There was a really educational piece about how to deal with that and be careful what you give to other people.
“You don’t know where it gets sent then and unfortunately it’s part of society, you can’t control it once it leaves your private phone.”
Channel 7 commentator and former Essendon player Jobe Watson said players were told they could lose control of their private images if they entered the public domain
A Google Drive file containing photos, videos and screenshots of reportedly more than 45 players, including Brownlow medalists, is under investigation by the league and police after it began circulating on social media.
The file link lists each player’s name, which is accompanied by a folder of explicit, graphic photos and images supposedly belonging to them.
Sunrise presenter Natalie Barr pointed out that many of the photos are ‘missing heads’ and therefore ‘could be anyone’s’ or photoshopped.
“A lot of them can be digitally altered, which is what happens these days, and then those players have their names dragged through the mud,” she said.
“Especially past players, family members, there are a lot of people that this directly affects and there’s no evidence of who it really is,” Watson said.
“I’m sure there will be many players looking for support for what is a difficult time for them.”
In a statement on Wednesday, an AFL spokesperson said the photos had been shared without permission but had yet to be verified.
A Google drive contains a list of player names with folders of images claiming to be them
Former Essendon Bombers player Jobe Watson (pictured in 2017) said he and his teammates were educated about the risks of sharing intimate images online
“The AFL has been made aware of private and personal images of past and current AFL players that have been illegally distributed and shared without permission after being contacted by a number of AFL clubs,” a spokesman said.
“The images have been distributed by an anonymous person(s) and it is claimed that the files contain private and personal images of past and current AFL players, but it is important to note that many of the images have yet to be verified for identification .’
“A lot of work seems to have gone into collecting the images and creating files for distribution.
“The AFL has no information as to why the personal images were illegally distributed without permission or what the motive is.”
The famous Geelong Hall of Famer Jimmy Bartel lashed out at the “disgusting” person or people behind the big leak.
“It’s disgusting – most of the pictures are fake, fabricated, staged,” he told 3AW radio.
“He’s a grubby person who hopefully gets caught. This is now a criminal case.’
Melbourne Demons legend Garry Lyon urged fans not to share the footage.
“If it’s sent to you and you forward it, you have a big, big fight and you can go to jail,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast on Thursday.
“My message would be this… if you get it, forward it at your own risk. Because then you distribute photos that have been obtained illegally and then you are just as liable as the person who started them. I’m serious here, that’s a big problem.’
The AFL Players’ Association said the leak was an “appalling and disgusting act”.
In a statement on Wednesday, an AFL spokesman said the photos had been shared without permission but had yet to be verified (photo, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan)
“The AFL Players’ Association is aware that the AFL is investigating a collection of explicit images of past and current players that have been distributed without their consent,” Chief Executive Paul Marsh said in a statement Wednesday evening.
While it is important to note that some of the images may not be legitimate, this is an abhorrent and abhorrent act and a likely unlawful invasion of privacy which is unacceptable.
“We ask the public to take this matter seriously by not seeking out or sharing any of these photos and to respect the rights and privacy of those involved.”
Marsh said the incident was now in the hands of the police and players were supported with legal and welfare services.
The AFL’s Integrity Unit (AFLIU) has begun working with the eSafety Commissioner to remove the images from the internet.
“The AFL has also notified relevant law enforcement agencies of the situation,” a spokesman said.
Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting any wrongdoing on the part of the AFL players, nor has it verified the authenticity of any of the images.