No, tracking private planes is not illegal. In most cases, the only requirement is that the aircraft has a transponder that emits a signal that can be picked up by ground-based receivers. This doesn't infringe on the privacy of the people onboard the aircraft, as they are not being tracked by their personal data.

Yes, it is currently legal to track the flight patterns of private jets, though the practice is a subject of intense debate regarding privacy and security. For safety and air traffic control purposes, all aircraft are required to use Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) technology, which transmits real-time data including GPS coordinates, altitude, and ground speed. Because these signals are unencrypted and public, aviation enthusiasts and social media accounts can legally intercept them and broadcast the movements of high-profile individuals, celebrities, and politicians. While it is legal, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has introduced programs like the Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed (LADD) and the Privacy ICAO Address (PIA) to help owners mask their identities or disguise their tail numbers. However, these "opt-out" measures are not foolproof and often only apply to US airspace or specific tracking websites. Critics argue that real-time tracking can lead to corporate espionage or physical security risks, but as of 2026, the law remains on the side of transparency and public data, as the information is considered a public broadcast intended for safe navigation of the skies.