Cricket commentator Grace Hayden has sent an urgent warning to her followers on social media, revealing she’s been targeted by trolls who have set up a fake X account in her name.
The daughter of Aussie legend Matthew Hayden made the announcement on Instagram on Tuesday, writing: ‘It’s come to my attention there is a fake X account pretending to be me.
‘If you come across the account @grace_haydenn on X please report and block.’
Hayden also posted the warning on her actual X account, @Graciehayden02.
At the time of writing, the fake account had been taken down, with Hayden’s followers backing her.
‘I hate some random account stole ur photos and has double the followers. Justice for gracie,’ one wrote.
Cricket commentator Grace Hayden (pictured) has warned her followers about a fake account set up in her name online
Hayden got the result she wanted when she asked her fans to report and block the counterfeit account on X
‘Well done. The fake account is now gone!’ another added.
Hayden isn’t the only high-profile female sporting figure to be targeted by online fakes this year.
NRLW star Jaime Chapman lashed out after becoming the subject of a deepfake photo attack in May.
The 23-year-old took to Instagram on Monday to slam the ‘scary’ and ‘damaging’ effect the deepfake images have had on her.
‘Have a good day to everyone except those who make fake ai photos of other people,’ she wrote.
‘AI is scary these days.
‘Next time think of how damaging this can be to someone and their loved ones.
‘This has happened a few times now and it needs to stop.’
Hayden (pictured) isn’t the only high-profile Aussie sporting figure to be targeted online this year
Her words were accompanied by what appears to be the original image that was subsequently doctored.
Before it became the subject of a deepfake, the photo showed Chapman taking a selfie as she sat on a bed in a gold bikini.
In October, former Fox Sports footy reporter Tiffany Salmond called out those responsible for using AI technology to create realistic videos and images of her in sexually compromising positions.
‘Earlier this year, I spoke out about being the target of explicit AI-generated deepfakes – fake sexual imagery made from real photos of me, without my consent,’ she posted.
‘But what I haven’t spoken about until now is the doubt and suspicion that’s followed.
‘Over the past few months, I’ve seen a continued narrative online accusing me of faking the story for attention.
‘Claiming the deepfakes were never real, and that I made the whole thing up.’
‘I stopped talking about this months ago because I’d already said what I needed to. But that doesn’t mean it stopped,’ she continued.
‘For anyone who assumed it was a one-off, it wasn’t. The deepfakes have continued to be made and posted.
‘The most recent deepfake (and the most explicit one yet) was shared online just three weeks ago.’
