Google Wins Spirit Data Sale, Flight Attendant Union Objects

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO has raised concerns about Google's acquisition of Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc.'s deidentified business data and operations records. The union objects to the proposed sale in a limited objection filed in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

The data includes 100 million emails, 500 million Microsoft Teams chats and collaboration records, as well as information related to revenue, aircraft operations, employee productivity, and audits and fraud. Google won a bankruptcy auction with its $10 million bid last week.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA is concerned that even when deidentified, disciplinary records, training deficiencies, and medical or accommodation requests are still sensitive. The union also raises concerns about links between payroll, timekeeping, and communications data, whether there will be an independent screen for employee confidentiality, and provisions over later transfers to third parties.

The AFA asked the court to reject the sale unless changes are made to exclude all flight attendant information, including training records, time cards, and payroll. Alternatively, the court should require a review protocol for labor or disciplinary records, communications, and a requirement against using the data to profile any identifiable group of flight attendants.