Core Viewpoint - The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is investigating AppLovin over allegations of violating service agreements with platform partners to enhance targeted advertising practices [1][5]. Group 1: SEC Investigation Details - The SEC's investigation is being conducted by enforcement officials focused on cyber and emerging technologies [2]. - The investigation was prompted by a whistleblower complaint and multiple short-seller reports alleging AppLovin's misuse of proprietary identifiers from other platforms [5]. - The SEC has not yet accused AppLovin or its officials of any wrongdoing, and the extent of the investigation remains unclear [5]. Group 2: AppLovin's Response - AppLovin has declined to comment on the investigation, stating that it typically does not discuss potential regulatory matters [3]. - The company has engaged Alex Spiro, a prominent litigator, to conduct an independent review of recent short report activities and investigate the origins of these reports [4]. - AppLovin's CEO previously described short reports as "littered with inaccuracies" and denied the creation of unauthorized device fingerprints [3][4]. Group 3: Company Background and Market Position - AppLovin assists mobile app developers in user acquisition and advertising sales, with a market valuation exceeding $226 billion as of 2025 [5]. - The company was added to the S&P 500 Index in September 2025, indicating significant growth and market presence [5]. - Allegations against AppLovin include unauthorized tracking of users across different platforms, which is prohibited by Apple's App Store and was restricted by Google until a recent policy change [5].

Core Insights - AppLovin's shares fell significantly due to an SEC investigation into alleged data-collection violations related to targeted advertising, resulting in a loss of approximately $8.65 billion in wealth for executives and early investors [1][3][4] Investigation Details - The SEC is probing whether AppLovin violated data-sharing rules by using unauthorized tracking tools for targeted ads, following a whistleblower complaint and short-seller reports [3][5] - The investigation could lead to penalties if violations are confirmed, although no wrongdoing has been officially accused yet [5] Financial Impact - AppLovin's stock dropped by 14% in response to the investigation, leading to significant losses for key individuals, including CEO Adam Foroughi, whose net worth decreased by about $3.4 billion [3][4] - Major early investors also experienced substantial losses, with Ling Tang losing $1.7 billion and Hao Tang losing $1.1 billion [4][8] Company Background - AppLovin's market capitalization peaked at $226 billion over the past year but has since declined to approximately $198.8 billion [6] - The company recently joined the S&P 500, despite concerns raised by short-sellers regarding its data practices [6] Stock Performance - Over the past year, AppLovin's stock has increased by 319%, contributing to the rise of three individuals associated with the company into the Forbes 400 [7]