Google has acquired the data of failed US airline Spirit (theregister.com)

Article summary

Google has acquired a large dataset from failed US airline Spirit, including 100 million emails, 500 million Microsoft Teams items, and 30 million recorded customer service calls, for $10 million. The data was deidentified before being sold, and Google has promised to remove any personally identifiable information it finds. The acquisition is reportedly intended to improve Google's AI services. The dataset also includes operational data, such as flight records and sales information.

Main themes

• data privacy
• AI training
• bankruptcy and asset sale
• customer consent
• data ownership and control
• surveillance and tracking

What commenters say

• The acquisition of Spirit's data by Google raises concerns about privacy and consent, as customers may not have agreed to their data being used for AI training.
• Some commenters believe that Google's promise to remove personally identifiable information is insufficient to protect customers' privacy.
• Others argue that the data is already effectively public due to Spirit's bankruptcy and liquidation, and that Google's acquisition is simply a business transaction.
• There are differing opinions on the legality and ethics of selling customer data in this way, with some arguing that it is a breach of consent and others seeing it as a legitimate business practice.
• Some commenters are skeptical of Google's intentions and worry about the potential for misuse of the data, such as creating a social credit system or using it for insurance denials and job screening.
• Others see the acquisition as a necessary step for Google to improve its AI services and compete with other tech companies.
• The discussion also touches on the broader issue of data ownership and control, with some arguing that customers should have more control over their personal data and how it is used.
• There are also concerns about the potential for watermarks and other tracking technologies to be used to monitor and control individuals, and the implications of this for privacy and freedom.