AppLovin

None of the warning signs we check for were found.

We look for five warning signs: doubt it can keep going, weak checks on its own accounts, a notice that its past accounts can't be relied on, a change of auditor, and one customer bringing in a big share of sales. We don't check lawsuits, investigations or debt yet.

We checked the auditor's report, internal controls, restatement notices, auditor changes and big customers in the 10-K filed 19 Feb 2026, plus the 10-Q filed 5 Aug 2026 and 4 later 8-Ks.

Cheap for a reason is the question the numbers cannot answer.

Whether the price already reflects the risks is what the deep dive is for.

• We are subject to laws and regulations concerning privacy, information security, data protection, consumer protection, advertising, tracking, targeting, and protection of minors, and these laws and regulations are continually evolving. Our actual or perceived failure to comply with these laws and regulations could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

  Could happen

  Moreover, there are increasing restrictions in the United States on certain personal sensitive data transfers to certain foreign countries. The Department of Justice finalized a final rule implementing Executive Order 14117, effective April 8, 2025, which prohibits data transfer of personal identifiers, precise geolocation data, biometric identifiers, health data, and financial data over a certain bulk threshold to identified countries of concern (i.e., China, Hong Kong, Macau, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela). The rule also restricts data brokerage agreements, investment agreements, employment agreements, and vendor agreements involving such data and countries of concern. Violations of the rule may be punishable by criminal and/or civil sanctions and may result in exclusion from participation in federal and state programs. These data transfer restrictions may create operational challenges and legal risks for our business, particularly with regard to China, where we have operations.

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• Our business is subject to general macroeconomic conditions and a variety of other factors beyond our control that could adversely affect our revenue and results of operations.

  Could happen

  Further, we have operations in China and the continuing tension between the U.S. and China may impact our business and results of operations in the future. The U.S. government has restricted the ability to send certain products and technology to China without an export license. In many cases, these licenses are subject to a policy of denial and will not be issued. While our current products are not restricted by these controls, such controls or future restrictions could impact our business in the future. Additionally, the U.S. government also continues to add additional entities in China and other countries to restricted party lists impacting the ability of U.S. companies to engage with these entities. In addition, the Chinese government has retaliated, and may continue to retaliate, to recent changes in U.S. tariffs and export controls in ways that could indirectly impact our business. If we are unable to promptly or properly react to new developments in these and other international regions, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.

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• We are subject to laws and regulations concerning privacy, information security, data protection, consumer protection, advertising, tracking, targeting, and protection of minors, and these laws and regulations are continually evolving. Our actual or perceived failure to comply with these laws and regulations could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

  Could happen

  Further, children’s privacy continues to be a focus of enforcement activities and subjects our business to potential liability that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or operating results. For example, enforcement of COPPA, which requires companies to obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children known to be under the age of thirteen or from child-directed websites or online services, has increased in recent years. In addition, the GDPR, the CCPA, as modified by the CPRA, and other laws contain their own prohibitions and requirements relating to processing the personal information of children. There also may be various laws, regulations, industry standards, codes of conduct, or other actual or asserted obligations relating to children’s privacy to which we may be, or be asserted to be, subject, or that may otherwise impact our business and operations. For example, the United Kingdom’s Age Appropriate Design Code (“AADC”) is one such regulatory framework that has been adopted in the United Kingdom that focuses on online safety and protection of children’s privacy online, and similar frameworks are being considered in other jurisdictions. While our terms of use prohibit publishers and advertisers from using our services in connection with end users who qualify as a “child” under applicable laws or content exclusively designed for or exclusively directed to children under applicable laws and app store policies, and we take reasonable efforts to comply with applicable laws and regulations and certain other standards, we may in the future face claims under COPPA, the GDPR, the CCPA, the CPRA, or other laws, regulations, or other actual or asserted obligations relating to children’s privacy. Additionally, several jurisdictions have enacted or proposed laws imposing new privacy obligations related to health-related personal information beyond traditional medical privacy laws like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which laws can broadly define consumer health data and in certain cases include private rights of action. Ongoing developments regarding laws and regulations concerning privacy, information security, data protection, consumer protection, advertising, and other factors that may be relevant to our business may increase compliance burdens, legal risks, and operational costs for us, our clients, and others in the advertising technology ecosystem. We endeavor to comply with applicable industry standards and are subject to the terms of our privacy-related obligations and commitments to clients, end users, and third parties. We strive to comply with all applicable laws, policies, legal obligations, and certain industry codes of conduct relating to privacy and data protection, to the extent reasonably attainable. However, it is possible that these or other actual or asserted obligations relating to privacy, data protection, or information security may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another and may conflict with other rules or our practices. It is also possible that laws, policies, legal obligations, or industry codes of conduct may be implemented, modified, or interpreted in manners that could prevent us from offering services to categories of persons, such as residents of a certain jurisdiction, or may make it costlier or more difficult for us to do so. Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with our terms of use or privacy policy; with applicable laws, regulations, or legal, contractual, or other actual or asserted obligations to clients or third parties concerning the matters discussed in this risk factor; or any compromise of security that results, or is perceived to result, in the unauthorized release or transfer of personal information or other data may result in governmental enforcement actions or other proceedings, claims, demands, and litigation by private parties, or public statements

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• Our results of operations are likely to fluctuate from period-to-period, which could cause the market price of our Class A common stock to decline.

  Could happen

  • the impact of tariffs recently imposed by the U.S. government and its trading partners in response, other possible tariffs or trade protection measures, import or export licensing requirements, new or different customs duties, trade embargoes and sanctions and other trade barriers;

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• If we do not successfully or cost-effectively invest in, protect and enhance our brands and reputation, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.

  Harm to our brands and reputation can arise from many sources, including actions of our business partners, service disruptions or technical issues, or legal or regulatory scrutiny. Even allegations may harm our reputation and brands and cause the market price of our Class A common stock to decline. We have, from time to time in the past, and may in the future be, the target of incomplete, inaccurate, and misleading or false statements about our company and our business that could damage our reputation and brands, divert management attention and resources, and deter clients or potential clients from using our solutions. If we do not successfully maintain, protect or enhance our brand and reputation, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

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