Taylor Swift’s Attorneys Threaten Legal Action Against College Student Tracking Celebrity Private Jets
Taylor Swift’s legal team has issued a cease-and-desist letter to a college student who runs social media accounts tracking the flights of her and other celebrities’ private jets. Jack Sweeney, a junior at the University of Central Florida, has been operating these accounts for years, using publicly available data from the Federal Aviation Administration and volunteer hobbyists. However, Swift’s attorneys claim that Sweeney’s actions constitute stalking and harassment, causing harm and distress to the pop star and her family.
The accounts created by Sweeney have sparked a free-speech debate, particularly when he was banned from X (formerly Twitter) for sharing what Elon Musk, the platform’s owner, called “assassination coordinates.” However, Sweeney argues that his accounts only provide information about the takeoffs and landings of planes and helicopters, without revealing who travels on them or their final destinations.
In December, Swift’s attorney sent Sweeney a cease-and-desist letter, warning of legal action if he did not stop his alleged stalking and harassing behavior. The letter claimed that Sweeney’s accounts had caused direct harm to Swift and her family, as well as heightened her fear for her personal safety. Sweeney believes that the letter was an attempt to scare him away from sharing public data and gain control over the information.
One of the main concerns raised by Sweeney’s accounts is the environmental impact of private-jet flights. These flights are often criticized for their contribution to climate change, and Sweeney’s accounts have been used to name and shame celebrities for their carbon emissions. In fact, an analysis in 2022 estimated that Swift was the “biggest celebrity [carbon dioxide] polluter” of the year. However, Swift’s publicist argued that the analysis was flawed because her jet was often loaned out to others, and she had purchased carbon credits to offset her travel.
Sweeney’s accounts faced further challenges when Facebook and Instagram disabled them, citing privacy rules. However, he continued to post updates about Swift’s aircraft on other platforms. Swift’s attorney sent a second letter, claiming that Sweeney’s posts constituted harassing conduct.
The use of flight-tracking accounts has become a point of interest for fans and critics alike. Swift’s every movement is closely watched by paparazzi and superfans, and her travel plans have drawn increased attention, especially as she flew to watch her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, play for the Kansas City Chiefs. Critics have seized on these trips to criticize her, while fans eagerly follow her movements, particularly with her upcoming concert in Tokyo just hours before Kelce’s scheduled Super Bowl appearance.
Sweeney’s accounts have tracked two jets owned by Nashville-based companies and registered to be operated by a Swift company called Firefly Entertainment. However, they do not track who travels on the planes or any other chartered flights. Swift’s spokeswoman claims that there is only one plane, while FAA records show that one of the planes previously tracked by Sweeney’s accounts has been transferred to a real estate company.
In response to the cease-and-desist letter, Sweeney sought help from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital rights group. A lawyer specializing in First Amendment and internet speech issues responded on Sweeney’s behalf, stating that his actions constituted protected speech and did not violate any of Swift’s legal rights.
The legal battle between Taylor Swift and Jack Sweeney raises important questions about privacy, free speech, and the control of public information. While Swift’s attorneys argue that Sweeney’s accounts constitute stalking and harassment, Sweeney maintains that he is simply using publicly available data to track the flights of public figures. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how the courts will navigate these complex issues and determine the boundaries of online tracking and information sharing.
