Google's $10 million bid for spirit airlines data highlights workplace data ownership concerns

Google has paid $10 million for internal data from the bankrupt Spirit Airlines, including emails, workflows, Teams messages, and code, according to a bankruptcy court filing. The data, which has been anonymized, excludes customer information and was acquired through a bidding process. Spirit Airlines ceased operations in May 2026 after going bankrupt, having employed around 9,700 full-time workers in 2025. The acquisition underscores growing concerns about workplace data ownership, as companies increasingly seek to use employee-generated data to train AI models. The data could be used for various purposes, such as improving customer service or aiding developers. Earlier this year, AI training startup Micro1 offered midsize companies between $100,000 and $2 million for access to anonymized data. Legal experts warn employees that work emails and other communications typically belong to the employer, raising questions about privacy and data rights.