Taylor Swift’s Lawyer Sends Cease-and-Desist Letter to College Student Tracking Private Jets:
In a recent turn of events, Taylor Swift’s legal team has issued a cease-and-desist letter to a college student, Jack Sweeney, who operates social media accounts dedicated to tracking private jets, including those used by celebrities like Taylor Swift. The lawyer representing Sweeney, James Slater of Slater Legal PLLC, has come forward to defend his client against the legal threat.
Speaking in an interview aired on “Good Morning America,” Slater emphasized that Sweeney is steadfast and “not going to buckle” under the pressure of the cease-and-desist letter. He characterized the legal action as an attempt by a powerful individual to stifle public criticism and free speech.
The letter from Swift’s lawyer, Katie Morrone, cited concerns about the potential threat to Swift’s safety posed by the tracking accounts. Morrone argued that the accounts provided real-time updates on Swift’s whereabouts, potentially enabling individuals with malicious intent to harm her.
However, legal experts like Ryan Calo, a law professor at the University of Washington, have weighed in on the situation, stating that there may not be a clear legal basis for Swift’s team to take action against Sweeney. Calo noted that while there may be moral implications, the tracking of flight information itself may not violate any civil or criminal laws.
Moreover, Sweeney’s lawyer responded to the cease-and-desist letter, asserting that Sweeney’s use of publicly available information to track private jets, including those used by public figures like Taylor Swift, is lawful and constitutes protected speech. The response letter also addressed the absence of any credible threats made by Sweeney or his clients against Swift.
Slater further clarified that the tracking of private jets using publicly available information does not pose a threat to Swift’s safety, as asserted by Morrone in the cease-and-desist letter.
The situation highlights the intersection of privacy concerns and freedom of speech in the digital age, as well as the challenges of navigating legal boundaries in online activities. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how Swift’s legal team and Sweeney will proceed in resolving the matter.