The story of Palantir, the US data analytics company, is one of rapid growth and intense controversy. Since the pandemic, Palantir has expanded voraciously, using its AI-driven software to make sense of complex datasets for customers worldwide. For the NHS, it analyzes patient records; for the US military, it focuses on targets in Iran. Now worth $375bn, Palantir's products are widely used, but its rise has been noisy and contentious.
Controversial Beginnings and Growth
Founded in 2003 by US tech billionaire and Trump ally Peter Thiel after 9/11, Palantir's eclectic client list includes the Israeli military, the NHS, and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Earlier this year, CEO Alex Karp published a controversial manifesto implying certain cultures are inferior to others. The company's name, taken from JRR Tolkien's magical seeing stones, reflects its mission to monitor and analyze data, but critics see parallels with Tolkien's suspicion of technology as a tool for domination.
Expanding Reach in the UK
Palantir has contracts with the NHS, the UK Ministry of Defence, and several police forces, totaling £600m. However, London mayor Sadiq Khan recently blocked a £50m deal with the Metropolitan Police, citing concerns about company values. The company's 2020 stock market listing saw its value soar by over 1,500%, fueled by AI excitement and government adoption.
Criticism and Opposition
Criticism has mounted. Amnesty International raised concerns about Palantir's human rights record, citing work with ICE. In the UK, nearly 250,000 people signed petitions calling for contract cancellations. MP Martin Wrigley expressed unease about a contract with the Financial Conduct Authority, fearing data could be passed to the US government under Donald Trump. Aisha Down, a Guardian technology reporter, notes that the controversy is part of a larger moral panic about US tech companies controlling sovereign infrastructure.
CEO Alex Karp's Stance
Karp, who describes his company as 'completely anti-woke,' has been an outspoken supporter of the Israeli military and AI weaponry. He argues that the West has become too self-critical and that his company's main opponents are political. His manifesto, based on his book The Technological Republic, envisions a marriage between big tech and government, implying Western superiority.
Data Security Fears
Concerns about data security are heightened by reports that NHS England gave Palantir access to patient data before anonymization. Critics fear that a future Reform UK government could use this data for immigration enforcement, similar to ICE raids. Palantir insists it has no intention of using data unlawfully and would be in breach of contract if it did.
Market Skepticism
Investor Michael Burry, known from The Big Short, has taken a short position against Palantir, warning it is overvalued and vulnerable to competition. Karp dismisses this, but Aisha Down suggests that the political noise may distract from questions about the technology's actual usefulness.
Wider Implications
Palantir's story reflects growing mistrust of big tech and its influence on government. As the company expands, debates about privacy, sovereignty, and ethics intensify. Whether Palantir is a powerful tool or a dangerous overreach remains contested, but its impact on the British state and beyond is undeniable.
