Google Snatches Spirit Airlines' Corporate Data for $10 Million

Google recently acquired Spirit Airlines' corporate data for $10 million in an auction. The package includes around 100 million emails, 500 million Microsoft Teams messages, and employee files dating back to 1986. Personal information will be stripped by a third party before the data is handed over to Google.

The acquisition comes after Spirit Airlines ceased flying operations in May, leaving behind 17,000 former employees and $8.1 billion in debt. The data does not include passenger or loyalty records, which were excluded from the auction.

Google plans to use the material to improve its products and AI systems. However, a judge is set to rule on August 19 to approve the sale, pending deidentification efforts across 100 million emails.