> If these guys cant use the SEC whistleblower program then there isn't a case

I think you are confusing a few things.

The whistleblower program is for insiders. This lawsuit is being brought by outside shareholders. This has nothing at all to do with whistleblowers as there aren't insiders with insider knowledge.

This suit is being brought by outsiders who are unhappy with Intel's performance.

There is no insider here trying to expose anything.

You don’t have to be an insider, independent researchers have pointed out irregularities, improperly disclosed things and won bounties

Yeah good luck hiring next CEO to Intel.