Taylor Swift, the Super Bowl, and celebrity private jet emissions: A closer look
The CNS Maryland piece explores the effects of celebrity private jet flying on the environment, especially during big events like the Super Bowl. It draws attention to the increase in private plane travel to Las Vegas for the 2024 Super Bowl and the environmental impact of well-known people attending these kinds of events. The conversation turns to Taylor Swift, particularly in light of her 5,000-mile journey from Tokyo to Las Vegas for the game.
The article analyzes data from WINGX, a platform that tracks private jet departures prior to and during the Super Bowl and shows a notable spike in travel activity after the game. It also cites research done by the nonprofit organization Myclimate in Switzerland, which collects emissions data from flight trackers in the public domain and social media posts.
Taylor Swift demands college student stop tracking her jet
The student at the University of Central Florida, Jack Sweeney, appears to be in trouble for his pastime of tracking the private planes of prominent people. In late December, Taylor Swift’s management sent him a cease-and-desist letter, claiming worries that possible stalkers may use Sweeney’s monitoring information to find her. Sweeney, however, insists that he has never meant damage and that he supports openness and information for the general public.
It’s tough to allege that Sweeney is breaking any laws because his tracking accounts merely compile publicly available data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, Swift’s spokesman raises questions regarding safety and privacy by implying a link between Sweeney’s tracking sites and the timing of stalkers.
Sweeney has already encountered difficulties as a result of his flight-tracking operations. He had more than thirty tracking accounts on X in the past. Sweeney’s right to free expression was first upheld by Musk, who later removed him from the platform due to fears for his personal safety.
The case emphasizes the conflict that exists between public information and privacy rights, particularly in the era of social media and readily available data.
