Taylor Swift faced criticism online after information about her private jet usage surfaced on social media. The backlash ensued when a college student, Jack Sweeney, shared data revealing that Swift’s private jet traveled across the city of St. Louis in just 13 minutes, a journey that typically takes 30 minutes by car.
Sweeney, a student at the University of Central Florida, regularly tracks flight information of wealthy individuals, including Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and now Swift. However, the flight data Sweeney posts lacks details about who is onboard the aircraft.
“Flew from Cahokia/St Louis, Illinois, US to St Louis, Missouri, US 24 hours ago. Apx. flt. time 13 Mins,” read the college student’s latest post regarding Swift’s movements.
Taylor Swift’s legal team has issued a warning of potential legal action against Jack Sweeney for tracking her private jet, accusing his actions of constituting “stalking and harassing behavior.”
According to the Washington Post, Swift’s lawyers argue that Sweeney’s data could be used by stalkers and criminals as a roadmap to carry out harmful plans, posing a significant threat to Swift’s safety and well-being.
Responding to these claims, Sweeney stated to the Daily Mail that he has no malicious intent behind sharing the data, believing that the public has a right to access such information.
“I think it’s important to note that nowhere do I intend for harm. I actually think Swift has some good songs,” he said. “I believe in transparency and public information.”
Following the flight information controversy involving Taylor Swift’s private jet, discussions have erupted online. Some individuals argue that Swift’s legal team is attempting to silence Jack Sweeney due to concerns about the high carbon emissions produced by the singer’s private jets.
However, there are others on Twitter who have defended Swift, pointing out that the jet Sweeney tracked may no longer belong to her, as she recently sold it. Some users speculated that the brief 13-minute flight might have been for the purpose of moving the plane for maintenance.
This incident isn’t the first time Sweeney has faced scrutiny from celebrities. In 2022, he was banned from X (formerly Twitter) after Elon Musk accused him of sharing Musk’s “assassination coordinates.”
“They posted my exact real-time location, basically assassination coordinates, in (obvious) direct violation of Twitter terms of service,” Musk tweeted at the time.
Meanwhile, Swift will be visiting Australia as part of her Eras world tour, with her first gig slated for Melbourne next Friday night.