Google Revises Spirit Airlines Data Deal to Add Privacy Safeguards

Google has agreed to stronger privacy safeguards in its proposed $10 million purchase of data from defunct Spirit Airlines, which it plans to use to train AI models. Under the revised terms, sensitive employee records—including health, drug-testing, disciplinary, safety-program and identification information—will be excluded, while remaining data must be de-identified under the ISO 27559 standard and reviewed by an independent specialist selected in consultation with unions. Google must keep the data in a secure environment, treat it as confidential and not attempt to re-identify individuals. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and other groups withdrew their objections, calling the agreement a win for worker privacy; the sale still requires bankruptcy-court approval.