Taylor Swift Threatens Legal Action Against College Student for Tracking Private Jets

In a recent development, attorneys for Taylor Swift have issued a cease-and-desist letter to Jack Sweeney, a junior studying information technology at the University of Central Florida, who tracks the private jets of celebrities and public figures, including Swift. The letter accuses Sweeney of engaging in "stalking and harassing behavior" by consistently publishing real-time and precise information about Swift's location and future whereabouts on social media.

This controversy first came to light when Sweeney's tracking activities drew the attention of billionaire Elon Musk, who owns the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, now known as X. Musk disbanded Sweeney's account "@ElonJet" in December 2022, citing security risks to himself and his family. Sweeney also operates accounts that track the private jet movements of Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and other high-profile individuals.

Sweeney's tracking accounts rely on publicly-available flight data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He often includes estimates of carbon emissions from each flight he tracks in his posts, highlighting his commitment to transparency and public information. However, Swift's attorneys argue that Sweeney's actions pose an imminent threat to her safety and well-being.

The cease-and-desist letter accuses Sweeney of disregarding the personal safety of others and engaging in willful and repeated harassment of Swift. It also alleges that Sweeney's actions violate Swift's privacy and provide a roadmap for individuals with nefarious or violent intentions. The letter even references CNN reporting on Musk offering Sweeney $5,000 to delete the Twitter account tracking his jet, to which Sweeney responded with a counteroffer of $50,000.

Sweeney maintains that he never intended any harm with his tracking activities and believes that tracking public information, such as the movements of private jets, is a reasonable expectation. He expressed his admiration for Swift's music and highlighted the high public interest in his tracking accounts among her fans.

Swift's spokesperson did not provide further details when asked about evidence of stalkers using Sweeney's jet-tracking accounts. However, they stated that the timing of stalkers suggests a connection, implying that Sweeney's activities might have inadvertently facilitated stalking incidents.

It is worth noting that Sweeney's tracking accounts merely repurpose publicly-available data provided by the FAA, a government agency. Despite this, Swift's attorneys demand that Sweeney immediately stop providing information about her location to the public. It remains unclear whether similar demands have been issued to the FAA.

As the legal battle unfolds, it raises important questions about the balance between privacy and public information in the digital age. Swift, who has dealt with stalkers and threats in the past, is determined to protect her safety and pursue all legal remedies available to her. Sweeney, on the other hand, stands by his belief in transparency and public access to information. The outcome of this dispute will undoubtedly have implications for the future of online tracking and the boundaries of privacy rights.