Meta has taken decisive action by suspending multiple Instagram and Threads accounts dedicated to tracking private jets of high-profile individuals, including Elon Musk, Taylor Swift, and Meta’s own CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The company cites privacy concerns and potential safety risks as the primary reasons for the suspension.
The suspended accounts, which aggregated publicly available flight data, were deemed to violate Meta’s privacy policies. This decision aligns with a 2021 Meta Oversight Board recommendation against sharing residential information, even when publicly accessible.
The ban has ignited significant debate within the tech and privacy communities. While supporters emphasize the importance of protecting individuals from potential stalking and harassment, critics argue that the flight information serves legitimate public interest, particularly for tracking political figures and their movements.
Taylor Swift’s legal team has been notably vocal on this issue, stating that sharing flight data puts the artist in a “constant state of fear for her personal safety.” The team has even issued a cease-and-desist letter to Jack Sweeney, a student known for creating several jet-tracking accounts.
The legal implications of jet tracking remain complex. While legal experts, including Professor Ryan Calo, question the validity of potential lawsuits against trackers, recent legislative changes have addressed the issue. A new Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill now allows private aircraft owners to request concealment of their registration information from public view.
This development represents a broader trend in the ongoing balance between transparency and privacy in the digital age, particularly as it relates to high-profile individuals and their movements. Environmental advocates have expressed concern that such restrictions could limit accountability regarding private jet carbon emissions.