Why will tracking Taylor Swift and Elon Musk’s private jets become nearly impossible?

For years, tracking the private jets of billionaires and celebrities has been a sport for internet sleuths and aviation enthusiasts. Whether it was Elon Musk’s Gulfstream hopping between tech hubs or Taylor Swift’s jet making a mysterious landing in a new city before a surprise appearance, online flight trackers made it easy to follow the world’s most high-profile figures. But those days may be numbered.

Thanks to a new rule from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), private aircraft owners—including Musk, Swift, and a host of other VIPs—can now request to have their flight data shielded from public databases. This means that the digital trail that once allowed fans, journalists, and even corporate spies to monitor their every takeoff and landing is about to vanish into thin air.

The End of Jet-Tracking as We Know It?

For years, social media accounts dedicated to tracking private jets have operated like real-time paparazzi in the skies. High-profile accounts on X (formerly Twitter) have offered up-to-the-minute updates on the movements of celebrities, tech moguls, and politicians. These flight logs have even fueled speculation about potential business deals, secret meetings, and unannounced tour stops.

But not everyone enjoyed the scrutiny. Elon Musk, one of the most frequently tracked individuals, has openly expressed frustration over flight tracking. After acquiring Twitter, he famously banned several accounts that shared private jet locations—including the one that tracked his own. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift’s legal team has gone after jet trackers, citing safety concerns over the detailed travel information being made public.

Privacy vs. Transparency: A New Debate Takes Off

The FAA’s new rule has ignited a debate between aviation groups and transparency advocates. Supporters of the policy argue that public flight tracking has escalated into a serious security risk. The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), which lobbied for the change, praised Congress for recognizing the dangers of “flight stalking.”

“Security is a huge issue for companies large and small, all across the country,” said NBAA CEO Ed Bolen. “This is a necessary step to protect business leaders, entrepreneurs, and individuals from potential threats.”

On the other side, critics worry that this move will make it harder to hold influential figures accountable. Flight tracking has been a tool used by journalists and watchdog organizations to scrutinize everything from corporate jet misuse to environmental hypocrisy. In 2023, Swift faced backlash over her carbon footprint after jet trackers revealed the staggering emissions from her private plane. Without access to such data, transparency advocates argue, the public loses a powerful tool for oversight.

What Happens Next?

As of this week, private aircraft owners can officially apply to have their names and addresses removed from FAA databases. The agency has also hinted at the possibility of making such privacy protections automatic, allowing only jet owners to retrieve their data when needed. However, the FAA is still seeking public input on how these changes might affect critical functions like safety checks and regulatory compliance.

Meanwhile, flight-tracking enthusiasts are already looking for workarounds. Some argue that ADS-B technology, which broadcasts aircraft locations, will continue to provide some level of tracking, though in a more limited capacity. Others speculate that independent aviation networks and international data sources may still offer glimpses into the movements of the ultra-rich and ultra-famous.

For now, one thing is clear: if you’re trying to figure out where Elon Musk is jetting off to next, or if Taylor Swift is planning a surprise getaway, it’s going to be a lot harder than it used to be.