Meta Cracks Down on Celebrity Jet Tracking Accounts
Recently, Meta has taken action against accounts on Instagram and Threads that tracked the private jet movements of high-profile individuals like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. This decision was based on concerns about the privacy and safety of the individuals involved.
The controversy centers on several accounts managed by Jack Sweeney, a college student from Florida. Sweeney’s accounts, which monitored the jet movements of celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Kylie Jenner, were suspended this Monday. Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Threads, cited violations of its privacy policy which could potentially lead to ‘risk of physical harm’.
Post by @jacksweeneyView on Threads
Additionally, similar accounts that followed the flights of notable figures such as former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis were also inaccessible as of Monday night. A message indicating that the link might be broken or the page removed was displayed. Earlier, on Friday, an account tracking Taylor Swift’s jet was also disabled.
Meta explained that the shutdown of these accounts was in line with recommendations from the independent Oversight Board, emphasizing the potential threats to personal safety these accounts posed. A Meta spokesperson clarified in a statement to TechCrunch that the closures were essential for protecting the individuals’ privacy and safety.
On a personal note, Sweeney compared the account suspensions to a previous incident on December 15th, 2022, when Elon Musk permanently banned his @ElonJet account from Twitter. Despite these setbacks, Sweeney noted that tracking the flights of famous individuals remains feasible through various means, including tips from fellow flight-tracking enthusiasts.
Post by @jacksweeneyView on Threads
The backdrop to these events includes a recent legislative change in May when U.S. President Joe Biden signed a bill that allows owners of private aircraft to hide their registration details. This move was likely intended to increase privacy for aircraft owners but seems to have little effect on the ability of enthusiasts to track high-profile flights.
This ongoing saga highlights the tension between public curiosity and the privacy rights of celebrities and other public figures. As digital platforms continue to grapple with these issues, the balance between transparency and security remains a key concern for both tech companies and their users.