Mark Zuckerberg has taken decisive action against Jack Sweeney, a college student known for tracking the private jets of high-profile celebrities like Elon Musk and Taylor Swift. Sweeney’s Instagram and Threads accounts were suspended on Monday, leaving him frustrated and without answers.
Sweeney’s Complaints About Lack of Transparency
In a post on X, Sweeney expressed his discontent, stating that his @elonmusksjet account had been “blacked out” without any clear reason given. The suspension affected nearly all of his celebrity jet-tracking profiles, except for his accounts focusing on politicians like DeSantis and Trump.
Sweeney accused Meta of acting “without transparency,” insisting that he received no explanation for the abrupt decision.
Meta’s Explanation for the Suspensions
A representative from Meta later provided insight into the reasoning behind the suspensions, explaining to the Daily Mail that Sweeney’s accounts were removed for “violating our privacy policy.” They further stated that there was a “risk of physical harm to individuals” associated with the information disclosed by Sweeney’s jet-tracking activities.
Jet Tracking on Threads and Instagram got Zucked pic.twitter.com/EQtCmnBaOI
— Jack Sweeney (@Jxck_Sweeney) October 22, 2024
This response follows Sweeney’s previous departure from X, which occurred after Elon Musk took over the platform in 2022. Musk had deemed the tracking accounts a physical safety hazard, leading X to revise its private information policy to prohibit the disclosure of individuals’ real-time locations.
Sweeney’s Perspective on Transparency and Public Interest
Despite the suspension, Sweeney has maintained that his tracking accounts serve a vital purpose in promoting “transparency” and addressing public interest regarding celebrity emissions from private jets. He has often highlighted the environmental impact of such flights, projecting the emissions produced by these high-profile individuals.
Legal Threats from Taylor Swift’s Team
Adding to the controversy, Taylor Swift’s lawyers have previously issued threats against Sweeney, claiming he was engaging in “stalking and harassing behavior” by revealing her jet’s whereabouts. In a strongly worded letter, they warned that if he did not stop monitoring her flights, they would pursue “any and all legal remedies.” Swift’s legal team argued that Sweeney’s actions have caused emotional distress and compromised her safety.
Sweeney’s Noteworthy Profile
Jack Sweeney has monitored various prominent figures, including other celebrities like Mark Cuban and Russian oligarchs such as Alexander Abramov. His tracking efforts earned him a spot on *Forbes*’ 30 Under 30 list for consumer technology in 2024. Sweeney previously made headlines when Elon Musk paid him $5,000 to cease posting his flight details, although Musk did not respond to a subsequent request for $50,000.
The ongoing situation raises questions about privacy, public interest, and the balance between celebrity transparency and personal safety in the digital age.
