Taylor Swift’s legal team wants a college student tracking her private jet to stop because they say she is living “in a constant state of fear for her personal safety” as a result.
University of Central Florida student Jack Sweeney, who says he uses publicly available information to track Swift and other celebrities’ private jets and shares their locations on social media, told NBC News that the pop star’s attorneys sent him a cease and desist letter.
According to the letter, first reported by The Washington Post, Swift’s legal team says the singer will “have no choice but to pursue any and all legal remedies” if he did not stop his “stalking and harassing behavior.”
Sweeney, who has operated under several social media handles on various platforms, says he uses publicly available data from the Federal Aviation Administration to track the jets of various celebrities.
The Washington Post reports Sweeney’s accounts also use information from volunteer hobbyists who can track the aircraft via signals broadcast. People on the ground can see which planes are flying overhead by picking up the plane’s signals using a device called an ADS-B receiver, which can be ordered online.
Sweeney has used several accounts to report Swift and other celebrities’ private jet locations, many of which are still in operation.
The letter, sent in late December 2023, says that Swift is living her “life in a constant state of fear for her personal safety,” as a result of being tracked by the online accounts, NBC News reports.
“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. Ms. Swift has dealt with stalkers and other individuals who wish her harm,” the letter notes.
