Micro1, a Palo Alto-based startup founded in 2022, has outbid Google for Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy data with a $12.5 million offer versus Google's $10 million bid. The sale has sparked controversy from unions and privacy advocates concerned about personal information of former employees and customers, with a court hearing scheduled for September 16 to determine the buyer.
Google won an auction to purchase Spirit Airlines' operational data in bankruptcy proceedings, but Springshot, a startup whose platform powered Spirit's technology for three years, claims the sale improperly includes Springshot's proprietary intellectual property and trade secrets without clear differentiation or notice.
Springshot, a startup whose platform powered Spirit Airlines' technology for three years, is challenging Google's acquisition of Spirit's operational data in bankruptcy proceedings, arguing the sale vaguely defined categories may improperly include Springshot's own intellectual property and trade secrets without clear differentiation or notice.