AI startup micro1 Inc., which develops recruiting and workforce software in the US, has asked a bankruptcy court to let it buy Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc.’s records for US$12.5 million, topping Google LLC’s US$10 million deal as the Florida-based budget carrier liquidates after shutting down in May.

The filing said the proposed purchase covers 500 million Microsoft Teams items, 100 million emails, about 16 million customer chat sessions, and other operating records created before Spirit ceased operations.

Micro1’s bid faces hurdles because Spirit advisers agreed to Google’s offer after a court-approved Chapter 11 auction.

A judge is set to consider the Google sale on September 9, and public dockets indicate the case remains active.

Google sought the airline data to boost AI.

Micro1 said it can deidentify records to protect employees’ privacy and would exclude sensitive employee records, including disciplinary, investigatory, and labor-union materials.

Google said it would not receive personal information and would pay a third party to strip out sensitive customer information.

Labor unions representing former Spirit employees have raised privacy concerns.

Under US bankruptcy law, courts can require a consumer privacy ombudsman if a proposed sale of personally identifiable information conflicts with a debtor’s privacy policy.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg