Rippling to Advance Corporate Espionage Lawsuit Against Deel

San Francisco federal judge allows HR software firm's case to proceed

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A San Francisco federal judge has ruled that HR software company Rippling can advance its corporate espionage lawsuit against competitor Deel Inc. Rippling alleges that Deel violated federal racketeering and trade secret laws by planting a corporate spy who took sensitive business information from Rippling.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing competition and alleged corporate espionage tactics in the HR software industry, where firms are vying for market share and access to proprietary data and technology.

The details

Rippling claims that Deel planted a corporate spy who took sensitive business information from Rippling. The judge found that Rippling had made sufficient allegations to allow the case to proceed, rejecting Deel's motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

  • The hearing took place on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Rippling

An HR management software firm that is suing its competitor Deel Inc. for alleged corporate espionage.

Deel Inc.

A San Francisco-based HR software company that is being sued by Rippling for allegedly planting a corporate spy to steal sensitive business information.

Judge Charles Breyer

A judge on the US District Court for the Northern District of California who is presiding over the Rippling v. Deel lawsuit.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Rippling has made sufficient allegations that Deel had violated federal racketeering and trade secret laws through an alleged scheme involving Deel planting a corporate spy who took sensitive business information from Rippling.”

— Judge Charles Breyer, US District Court Judge (bloomberglaw.com)

What’s next

The judge said he would provide a written opinion with his full explanations denying Deel's motion to dismiss the lawsuit at a later date.

The takeaway

This case highlights the intensifying competition and alleged corporate espionage tactics in the HR software industry as firms fight to gain market share and access to proprietary data and technology.