On the social media platform X, certain keywords have been banned amid rumors that Taylor Swift’s upcoming album, The Tortured Poets Department, has leaked online. Users are unable to search the phrase “Taylor Swift leak,” with snippets of songs from the alleged leaked album circulating on the internet. Fans have come to Swift’s defense, shaming those actively seeking out leaks that have not been confirmed as real or fake. Efforts have been made to flood the faux TTPD links with tags and discourage discussion of leaks on the platform.
If the leaks are determined to be legitimate, it wouldn’t be the first time one of Swift’s albums was leaked before its official release date. Swift has expressed concerns about security invasion and wiretaps, with her 2014 album 1989 leaking three days ahead of its drop date despite her efforts to keep the music under wraps. Similarly, her lead single “Mine” from the album Speak Now was leaked online prior to its official release, resulting in an emotional reaction from Swift. She has since put in place fail safes to prevent unauthorized access to her music, but leaks continued to occur for subsequent albums like 1989, Reputation, and Lover.
Swift has taken various precautions to keep her music locked down, such as having her dancers perform to a click track during music video shoots to avoid songs being heard prematurely. She often wears in-ear monitors playing her song back to her during shoots to maintain secrecy. Ed Sheeran, who has collaborated with Swift on multiple tracks, confirmed her secretive measures by revealing that new songs are only shared in person with her presence. He described a scenario where a locked briefcase with an iPad containing a song was flown to him for approval, emphasizing the lengths Swift goes to keep her music confidential.
Overall, leaks of Taylor Swift’s albums, including The Tortured Poets Department, have caused concern among fans and the artist herself. Efforts to prevent unauthorized access to the music have been put in place, but leaks continue to occur despite stringent security measures. Swift remains vigilant in protecting her work and ensuring that her music is released according to her schedule. The support of her fans and collaborators is crucial in maintaining the integrity of her art and respecting her creative process.
