Pop sensation and billionaire Taylor Swift‘s jet cannot be tracked anymore under the newly implemented legislation of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The legislation, outlining data privacy, may make it harder for people to track the flights of A-listers, including Swift. This rule change provides more freedom for celebrities to travel worry-free while putting many flight-tracking services in jeopardy.
Private jet owners like Taylor Swift can request FAA to withhold aircraft information
A new rule change from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will help private jet owners like Taylor Swift hide their registration information. Former President Joe Biden signed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 into law in May. The document, which spans over 400 pages, contains Section 803 that outlines data privacy. On March 28, the FAA implemented this legislation, providing a respite for celebrities who own a private flight.
This rule allows private aircraft owners like Taylor Swift to keep ownership information like their name and address private. This means that if the stars choose to keep it hidden, the information won’t be available on the FAA websites. These owners can now submit an electronic request to the FAA to withhold their aircraft registration information from the public.
The agency further stated that it is worth considering making aircraft ownership details private by default in the future. It might also provide a way for the owners to download their data when needed. The FAA noted that it will seek feedback on this measure to find out if withholding registration information might affect “the ability of stakeholders to perform necessary functions, such as maintenance, safety checks, and regulatory compliance.”
The FAA’s legislation will surely affect flight-tracking services, including those created by college student Jack Sweeney. He has tracked Taylor Swift’s jet for years. After the pop star’s legal team sent cease and desist letters to Sweeney, Meta suspended his Instagram account. However, he still keeps track on X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky, and other platforms.
This news comes a few weeks after an unverified video of Taylor Swift taking a 40-second flight from L.A. to Santa Monica went viral. The singer has been under scrutiny for private jet usage, with a Yard study naming her the biggest private jet CO2 emission offender.
