Attorneys representing Taylor Swift have issued a cease-and-desist letter to Jack Sweeney, a Florida college student known for tracking the private jet movements of celebrities and public figures, including Swift herself. The letter accuses Sweeney of engaging in “stalking and harassing behavior” by consistently publishing real-time information about Swift’s location and future travel plans on social media platforms.
Sweeney, who gained attention previously for tracking the jet travels of billionaire Elon Musk, operates several social media accounts that monitor the movements of prominent figures, such as Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates. He gathers publicly-available flight data from the Federal Aviation Administration and other sources to compile his posts, which often include estimates of carbon emissions from the flights.
The letter from Swift’s lead attorney, Katie Morrone of Venable LLP, alleges that Sweeney’s actions pose an “imminent threat to the safety and wellbeing” of Swift, citing previous instances of individuals attempting to harm her. It accuses Sweeney of disregarding public safety for personal gain and warns of legal action if he continues to publish information about Swift’s jet travels.
In response, Sweeney maintains that he never intended harm and believes in transparency and public information. He notes that there is high public interest in Swift’s movements, particularly among her fans, and argues that she should expect her jet to be tracked regardless of his actions.
Swift’s legal team declined to comment on the matter, but a spokesperson referenced previous instances where stalkers of Swift had utilised information from jet-tracking accounts. The timing of these incidents suggests a connection to the publication of Swift’s travel plans.
Interest in Swift’s upcoming travels has intensified recently, particularly regarding her attendance at the Super Bowl to support her boyfriend Travis Kelce. Speculation arose after the Japanese Embassy in the US issued a statement suggesting that Swift could make it to Las Vegas from Tokyo in time for the event, despite the long-haul flight and time difference.
The dispute between Swift and Sweeney highlights the complex intersection of privacy, safety, and public interest in the digital age, as individuals seek to navigate the boundaries of sharing information in an increasingly connected world.