College student’s nonconsensual videos spark investigation into anonymous online harassment network

Maddie Kowalski, a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Florida, learned that explicit, nonconsensual videos of her had been uploaded to X via a series of burner accounts, quickly garnering more than 8.5 million views and nationwide trending. The content sparked a wave of harassment, including invasive messages, false health accusations, and bets about her future actions. Kowalski sought help from the Gainesville Police Department, which suggested she change her phone number but offered limited further assistance.

A deeper probe by journalist Ej Dickson uncovered a loosely connected “burnerverse” of anonymous accounts, many linked to college sports fan culture, that treat the sexual humiliation of young women as a participatory sport. X’s response to takedown requests was limited, with removed videos often reappearing elsewhere. Kowalski’s experience underscores the challenges victims encounter when confronting a decentralized, rapidly amplifying online harassment ecosystem.