Taylor Swift is pursuing legal action against Jack Sweeney, a college student known for tracking celebrity jets, accusing him of "stalking and harassing behavior." Swift's attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter, stating that Sweeney's social media accounts cause "direct and irreparable harm" and threaten Swift's safety.
Jack Sweeney, a junior at the University of Central Florida, monitors flight paths of public figures' private jets, including celebrities like Taylor Swift and Elon Musk. He uses publicly available data to share information on social media platforms and estimates the environmental impact of the flights. Despite previous clashes with powerful figures, Sweeney landed on the Forbes 30 under 30 list for Consumer Technology in 2024.
TAYLOR SWIFT THREATENS LEGAL ACTION AGAINST MAN BEHIND ELON JET
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 7, 2024
Swift's attorneys have sent several cease-and-desist letters to 21-year-old Jack Sweeney, demanding that he stops posting the whereabouts of her private jet.
It said Sweeny's account had caused Swift and her family… pic.twitter.com/nZQkoIolwN
Elon Musk previously criticized Sweeney, offering him $5,000 to stop sharing flight information online. Sweeney's accounts were later suspended when Musk took over X, citing safety concerns. Sweeney adjusted by waiting 24 hours before posting to comply with new social media guidelines.
The legal dispute with Sweeney coincides with criticism of Taylor Swift's environmental impact during her Era's Tour. Sweeney claims the information he shares is already public, while Swift's legal team alleges emotional distress and safety concerns. Swift's flights are reported to have produced significant CO2 emissions, making her the biggest celebrity polluter in 2022.
Jack Sweeney, in response to the legal threats, emphasizes transparency and public information, stating he has no intention to cause harm. Despite Swift's legal action, Sweeney continues to operate tracking accounts on platforms like Mastodon, Discord, and Telegram.
