The Electronic Privacy Information Center has weighed in on Google's bid for Spirit Airlines data, saying union concerns about worker privacy are legitimate. Mayu Tobin-Miyaji, a counsel at EPIC, acknowledged that workers may face difficult legal odds in trying to block the transfer of their data.
Despite those hurdles, Tobin-Miyaji argued the moment is right for a challenge. If the sale goes through, it could establish a troubling pattern for how worker data is treated in AI-related deals, leaving employees with little protection.
The case highlights a broader gap: existing worker protections may not cover data used for artificial intelligence purposes. EPIC's stance suggests that even when the law is uncertain, pushing back on such sales may be necessary to define the boundaries of worker rights.