Archive · 17 Sep 2026
SpaceX Explores Buying Startup Data to Train AI Models
SpaceX is thinking about buying data from startups that are struggling or have closed.
It could use that data to help train its artificial intelligence systems.
The discussions are informal, so a purchase may never happen.
This idea is similar to Google trying to buy data from Spirit Airlines.
Some people are worried about whether customer information should be used for AI training.
Ireland’s privacy regulator is investigating how public posts are used to train Grok.
X says people can turn off some AI training features.
Users can also delete Grok conversations or make their accounts private.
SpaceX has reportedly discussed buying customer data from troubled or defunct startups to train and improve its AI models.
People familiar with the discussions said the communications were informal and might not result in a deal.
The proposal resembles Google’s reported $10 million offer for Spirit Airlines’ business data after the airline shut down.
The use of public user data to train Grok has drawn scrutiny from Ireland’s Data Protection Commission.
X says users can opt out of Grok training and personalization, delete conversation history, or make accounts private.
- Who
- SpaceX, with discussions involving teams considering data purchases; Ireland’s Data Protection Commission is examining related data practices.
- What
- SpaceX is reportedly considering buying customer data from troubled or defunct startups to train its AI models.
- When
- The discussions were reported recently; Ireland’s Data Protection Commission opened its inquiry in April 2025.
- Where
- The relevant European data processing is described as occurring in American data centers; the regulator is in Ireland.
- Why
- To obtain a potentially cheaper source of data and improve SpaceX’s AI models.
AI Development and Cost Savings
Privacy and Data Protection
Buying startup data
AI Development and Cost Savings
Purchasing data from troubled or defunct startups could provide SpaceX with a cheaper source for training and improving its AI models.
Privacy and Data Protection
The article does not establish whether affected customers would support their data being sold for AI training or whether a transaction would meet privacy requirements.
Using public posts for AI
AI Development and Cost Savings
SpaceX and its related AI efforts seek data showing varied human behavior to improve AI models.
Privacy and Data Protection
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission is investigating whether public posts from European users were properly processed to train Grok, and the approach has raised data-privacy concerns.
User control over data
AI Development and Cost Savings
X provides settings that allow users to opt out of training and personalization, delete conversation history, or make accounts private.
Privacy and Data Protection
X’s public pages say data is shared with xAI for Grok training, and regulators are examining the legal basis and handling of European users’ data.
- Potential buyer
- SpaceX
- Proposed data source
- Customer data from troubled or defunct startups
- Deal status
- Informal discussions; no deal is certain
- Comparable proposal
- Google reportedly offered $10 million for Spirit Airlines’ business data
- Regulatory inquiry
- Ireland’s Data Protection Commission opened an inquiry in April 2025
- Data linked to Grok
- X says shared data can include public posts, engagements, reports, Spaces conversations, profile information, and Grok interactions
- User controls
- Users can opt out of model training and personalization, delete conversation history, or make accounts private