Legal representatives for pop icon Taylor Swift are issuing a warning of potential legal action against a university student who has been monitoring Swift’s jet movements through social media channels. Some members of Swift’s fanbase, known as Swifties, are criticizing the legal action, deeming it unnecessary.
The University of Central Florida student in question, Jack Sweeney, operates various social media accounts dedicated to tracking the private jet usage of Swift and other public figures. Sweeney, utilizing publicly available data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and broadcast signals from aircraft, has gained widespread recognition for his coverage and even received acknowledgment with a Forbes 30 under 30 accolade.
However, Swift’s legal team, represented by the Washington-based law firm Venable, sent Sweeney a cease-and-desist letter accusing him of “stalking and harassing behavior” concerning his tracking of Swift’s jet activities. Katie Wright Morrone, the attorney, emphasized the seriousness of the matter, stating,
“While this may be a game to you, or an avenue that you hope will earn you wealth or fame, it is a life-or-death matter for our Client.” Morrone argued that there is no legitimate interest or public need for this information, suggesting it serves only to stalk, harass, and exert control.
Swift has encountered various incidents with stalkers in recent years, with one individual charged with stalking and harassment near her New York City residence. Responding to the cease-and-desist letter, Tree Paine, a spokesperson for Swift, indicated that the timing of Sweeney’s activities coincides with previous instances of stalking. Paine emphasized that Sweeney’s posts provide information on Swift’s whereabouts.
Swift’s private jet use has faced criticism regarding its environmental impact. However, Paine clarified that Swift often loans the jet for others to use and has purchased more than double the necessary carbon credits to offset her private jet’s environmental impact during her Eras Tour.
Sweeney believes that Swift’s legal team’s letter is likely a scare tactic, prompted by public backlash against Swift’s private jet usage’s environmental implications. He contends that all information he provides on Swift’s jet activity is publicly available and does not reveal Swift’s exact location at any given moment, similar to a publicized concert schedule.
Online fans of Swift have expressed disappointment and labeled the legal action as “cruel,” asserting that the information is already public and that threatening a college student over this matter is excessive. Sweeney, known for previous disputes with billionaire Elon Musk over the tracking of Musk’s private jet, faced account disablement by Facebook and Instagram, citing privacy rule violations.
