Google searches for the collection of explicit images and videos linked to AFL players have spiked, despite pleas from the league and AFL Players Association for the public to respect the privacy of the alleged victims.
The dossier of explicit content, which was organised into folders of past and present AFL players, had been scrubbed as of Thursday morning. A source with knowledge of the investigation confirmed the eSafety commissioner was responsible for the removal of the content.
The league became aware of the matter early this week when club representatives expressed their concern at the images distributed by an anonymous person or people across social media and dating apps.
“There appears to have been significant work involved in gathering the images and creating files for distribution,” the league said.
“While the AFL understands there may be great interest in this update, it wishes to reinforce the images have been shared illegally and without consent.”
The AFL Players Association expressed its outrage about the “appalling and disgusting act” and called on the public to not share any of the material.
However, despite these pleas, searches spiked for a link to the downloadable Google Drive folder on Wednesday night – hours after the news broke – and have continued through to Thursday.
“Google Drive AFL nude photos” and “AFL nude photos” are among the search queries that have generated more interest online over the past four hours. Both queries have toppled “Ashes 2023”, “rental crisis” and “Voice to parliament” in online searches Australia-wide.
This masthead understands the dossier contained graphic content, including explicit videos and images. The Google Drive collection contained sub-folders with 45 names of former and current AFL players.
The drive shows content that was first uploaded in 2017 and last updated in April this year. The owner of the files is listed under the pseudonym “Sue Somebody”. Efforts appear to have been made to remove other identifying details of the owner.
Google data shows the increase in online searches for the AFL Google Drive scandal.
AFL Hall of Famer Jimmy Bartel condemned whoever was behind the collection of files, and said it should now be a criminal matter.
“It’s gross. A majority of images are fake, made-up, staged,” Bartel told 3AW. “It’s someone grubby who will hopefully get caught.”
Police across Australia and the eSafety Commissioner were alerted to the situation by the AFL after the alarm was raised by a number of AFL clubs.
The AFL Players Association expressed its outrage about the “appalling and disgusting act”. Credit: Paul Rovere
But on Thursday, Victoria, South Australia and NSW police all confirmed they were not actively investigating.
The eSafety Commissioner confirmed their involvement in the investigation on Wednesday and said they were “working closely with the AFL and AFL Integrity Unit to offer any assistance we can”.
More to come
