Matthew Weiss and University of Michigan Data Breach

University Of Michigan and Matthew Weiss Hacking Lawsuits

Neumann Law Group is now evaluating civil claims against Matthew Weiss, the University of Michigan, and The Keffer Development Services (also known as The Athletic Trainer System). Matthew Weiss has accessed and downloaded hundreds of thousands of student athletes’ personal data, including medical records and intimate photographs, without their consent.

Our children are taught that a coach is a person they can trust and respect. It is expected that they will help with important life-skills, instill the importance of being a team player, and to serve as true role models. In this situation, Matthew Weiss intentionally and tragically failed his athletes and has betrayed that trust in all respects.

Who Is Matthew Weiss, The Keffer Development Services, and The Athletic Trainer System?

Matthew Weiss is a former quarterback football coach from the University of Michigan. A press release from the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Michigan, Weiss has been charged with 14 counts of unauthorized access to computers and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft. He could be facing up to 90 years in prison!

By hacking into a software database known as The Athletic Trainer System, managed by The Keffer Development Group (The Athletic Trainer System), Weiss was able to access the personal information of students and colleagues. He began gathering this information in 2015. It is estimated that over 150,000 student athletes have been affected by this breach of privacy.

Not only did Weiss gather medical information on these athletes, but he also obtained access to their personal social media, email, and cloud storage accounts. He downloaded photographs and videos from those accounts as well, some of which have been identified as very personal and intimate.

What Did The University Do Wrong?

The University of Michigan failed to properly supervise and monitor Matthew Weiss in his hacking activities and general behavior as an employee or agent of the University. Prior to his arrest, staff and students raised concerns about Weiss to the University related to abuse and privacy concerns. The University negligently failed to protect their students and athletes and took no meaningful action when those reports were initially made.

Considering the well-known history of abuse by agents and employees of the University of Michigan, it should have taken the immediate action to prevent the conduct of Weiss but did nothing. They failed to create an environment where their students and athletes can feel safe. This is especially egregious considering that these athletes are entering these sports programs with the knowledge of what happened to their fellow athletes at the hands of Robert Anderson and Larry Nassar. We know that one student athlete who was abused by Larry Nassar has been compromised due to the actions of Weiss and the inactions of the University.

Are You or Were You An Athlete at The University of Michigan?

Lawsuits are now being filed against Matthew Weiss, the University of Michigan, and The Keffer Development Group (The Athletic Trainer System) on behalf of athletes that have been affected by this data breach. As of April 2025, a class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of 11 students; however, based on the numbers obtained the United States Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation; there are hundreds of thousands potential claimants who have not yet come forward. It is believed that Weiss began gathering this data in 2015; however, it is very possible that former students have also been affected. It is important to know that to date, it has been confirmed that Weiss accessed the private information of over 1,300 student athletes from universities across the country.

If you believe that you or a loved one have been affected by this data breach, please reach out to Neumann Law Group immediately for a free consultation. At the Neumann Law Group, we are currently evaluating claims for those who have suffered from fear, mental and emotional anguish, financial losses, and other damages due to the negligent activities of Matthew Weiss, the University of Michigan, and The Keffer Development Group (The Athletic Trainer System).

For a consultation with a data breach injury lawyer in Detroit or Traverse City, call us at (800) 525-6386 or complete our online form. We represent claimants in Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Petoskey, Warren, Holland, Midland, Muskegon, Saginaw, Wyoming, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Flint, and communities throughout the Upper Peninsula, as well as in New York, California, Massachusetts, and Maryland. Contact us at 800-525-NEUMANN to discuss your potential case or contact us online. We are here for you.