Instagram Silences Private Jet Trackers Following Celebrity Backlash
Being rich and famous might come with plenty of perks, but privacy is often hard to come by. As the elite live increasingly public lives, they are pushing back against any exposure that might compromise their safety or privacy. College student Jack Sweeney made headlines with his social media accounts that tracked the private jets of celebrities and billionaires. However, after a string of complaints from high-profile figures, Meta (the parent company of Instagram and Threads) took action to protect these individuals by suspending Sweeney’s accounts.
What Exactly Happened?
On October 21, Meta permanently suspended Jack Sweeney’s celebrity jet-tracking accounts (yes, plural), which monitored the private flights of celebrities like Elon Musk, Taylor Swift, and Donald Trump. The social media giant justified the move, citing privacy and safety concerns. This follows a similar ban on Sweeney’s account by Elon Musk’s platform X (formerly Twitter) in late 2022.
Whose Jets Were Affected?
Sweeney tracked the jets of some of the world’s wealthiest individuals, including celebrities and billionaires like Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Jeff Bezos, Taylor Swift, and Kim Kardashian. The flight data of these luxurious private planes — once easily accessible and readily available through various accounts — is now unavailable on Instagram and Threads.
Why Are These Changes Being Made?
Meta acted on privacy concerns, stating that the flight tracking posed a “risk of physical harm” to the celebrities involved. Individuals like Elon Musk previously claimed that public flight tracking made them vulnerable to safety threats. Taylor Swift’s team argued that the accounts facilitated stalking and harassment. With the rising concern over public exposure, Meta’s decision aligns with a broader push for privacy among the super-famous and ultra-rich.
How Did Jack Sweeney Respond?
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Sweeney expressed frustration with Meta’s decision, emphasizing that he wasn’t given any prior notice or opportunity to appeal the suspension of his accounts. He acknowledged that the accounts posed some privacy concerns but stood by the “journalistic value” of the tracking, which he argued sheds light on both celebrity behavior and environmental impacts. Rather than relying on major platforms like Instagram and X, Sweeney is now focusing on his own website and alternative social media outlets to continue his work.
What Are Other Platforms Doing?
Meta isn’t the first to act against Sweeney’s jet-tracking activity. X (formerly Twitter), led by Elon Musk, banned Sweeney’s @ElonJet account in 2022, despite Musk’s prior advocacy for free speech. Social media platforms face increasing pressure to protect the privacy of high-profile users. With newer privacy laws allowing jet owners to anonymize their aircraft registration, it’s likely that other platforms will follow suit, making it more difficult to track the travel of celebs in the sky.