Transphobic abuse in sports surged to record highs in Q2 2025, with the Areto Transphobia Index up 215% quarter-over-quarter and 633% year-over-year, according to Areto Labs’ latest Hate Speech Index. Facebook was the source of 90% of transphobic comments. The rise in hate speech coincided with Pride Month and broader political discourse, highlighting growing normalization of anti-trans sentiment online. The Index also reported spikes in homophobia and abuse targeting women’s sports.

The latest Areto Index Report reveals a troubling surge in transphobic hate speech, now the fastest-growing abuse type online. With a 4% rise in overall hate speech this quarter, the report breaks down patterns, spikes, and what organizations can do to tackle these growing challenges head-on.

Calgary Wild FC has partnered with Areto Labs, a women-led AI content moderation company, to enhance online security for its players, coaches, and staff. This collaboration will safeguard the team's digital spaces by monitoring and removing hate speech, spam, and illegal streams in real time, creating a more inclusive online environment for the Northern Super League team.

Edmonton's Areto Labs has launched the world's first global index to benchmark digital harms in sports. The initial analysis shows a concerning 58% rise in hate speech, with women's sports facing higher levels of abuse.

The Areto Index for Q1 2025 reveals a 58% year-over-year rise in online hostility across sports, marking a significant shift in how fans engage online. The sharpest increases came from sexism and transphobia—both linked to the growing visibility of women athletes and gender discourse in sport. With social platforms playing a bigger role in how athletes build their brand and connect with fans, understanding these trends is essential for rights holders, leagues, and platforms alike.

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