Current:Home > InvestTaylor Swift's private jet tracker claps back, saying he's done 'nothing unlawful' -MoneyTrend
Taylor Swift's private jet tracker claps back, saying he's done 'nothing unlawful'
View
Date:2025-04-19 14:39:04
One college student has no problem sharing Taylor Swift's flight paths all too well.
University of Central Florida student Jack Sweeney is pushing back on a cease-and-desist letter sent to him by Swift's attorney demanding he stop publicly posting the singer's flights on her jet. The 21-year-old ran the now-defunct Instagram page @taylorswiftjets, where he reported her flight activity using data from various sources of publicly available information.
Swift's attorney, Katie Wright Morrone, sent multiple letters to Sweeney demanding that he stop tracking and publicly sharing her flight information. In a dismissive reply shared on X on Monday, Sweeney's attorney said the 22-year-old student and his company, GRNDCTRL, did nothing illegal.
Sweeney captioned the post, "Look What You Made Me Do," referencing the title track off Swift's 2017 "Reputation" album. He also shared the two letters sent to him by Swift's team.
"Put simply, there is nothing unlawful about GRNDCTRL's use of publicly accessible information to track private jets, including those by public figures like Taylor Swift," wrote Sweeney's attorney, James Slater.
Slater argued that Sweeney's speech is protected and did not violate any of Swift's legal rights. He added that GRNDCTRL has also reported flight history for Russian oligarchs and Elon Musk.
'Texas Hold 'Em':Beyoncé becomes first Black woman to top Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart
Attorneys rejects claims he posed 'credible threat' to Swift
Swift's attorneys argue that Sweeney's actions put the popstar at risk by providing up-to-date location information accessible to potential stalkers and would-be harassers.
Slater rejected those claims by clarifying that Sweeney is using information that is already made publicly available. He added that the language in Morrone's letter defines a stalker as someone who poses a "credible threat" to a victim.
"Our clients have never made any threats against Ms. Swift and your letter does not suggest they have done so," Slater said. "Further, your letter's tone is unfounded."
USA TODAY has reached out to Swift's representatives for comment.
How is Taylor Swift's jet being tracked?
Sweeney has multiple social media accounts tracking aircrafts belonging to celebrities, billionaires and politicians, with some even analyzing the carbon footprint of the jet owners' trips.
The information doesn't come from one source bur rather uses data pieced together from a few different sources of publicly available information, such as registration information from the Federal Aviation Administration, and broadcast signals from the planes themselves. Those signals are known as Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, or ADS-B, data.
ADS-B technology is required by the Federal Aviation Administration on aircraft and shares real-time position, altitude and other information that is important to air traffic controllers. The data also allows for sites like FlightAware.com to show real-time commercial flight locations.
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci and Christopher Cann
veryGood! (94479)
Related
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- ‘Fake heiress’ Anna Sorokin will compete on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ amid deportation battle
- Kate Spade Outlet’s Rare Sale—Snag a $299 Sling Bag for $99 & More Under $100 Styles You Won’t Resist
- 2 Phoenix officers shot with 1 listed in critical condition, police say
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- A US Navy sailor is detained in Venezuela, Pentagon says
- Taylor Fritz reaches US Open semifinal with win against Alexander Zverev
- Bachelorette’s Jenn Tran Details Her Next Chapter After Split From Devin Strader
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- USC surges, Oregon falls out of top five in first US LBM Coaches Poll of regular season
Ranking
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Travis Barker's FaceTime Video Voicemails to Daughter Alabama Barker Will Poosh You to Tears
- Rachael Ray fans think she slurred her words in new TV clip
- NFL Week 1 odds: Moneylines, point spreads, over/under
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- Obsessed With Hoop Earrings? Every Set in This Story Is Under $50
- Hunter Biden’s tax trial carries less political weight but heavy emotional toll for the president
- Caitlin Clark returns to action: How to watch Fever vs. Sparks on Wednesday
Recommendation
Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
Harris to propose $50K tax break for small business in economic plan
Workers without high school diplomas ease labor shortage — but not without a downside
Looking to advance your career or get a raise? Ask HR
At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
'1000-lb Sisters' star Amy Slaton arrested on drug possession, child endangerment charges
Stop Aging in Its Tracks With 50% Off Kate Somerville, Clinique & Murad Skincare from Sephora
Supreme Court won’t allow Oklahoma to reclaim federal money in dispute over abortion referrals