Ministers express readiness for Palantir software adoption in digital sphere
In the heart of Europe, Palantir, a US-based company specializing in government surveillance and intelligence analytics software, has become a leading player in the market for advanced crime-fighting AI. The German states of Bavaria, Hesse, and North Rhine-Westphalia are currently using Palantir's Gotham software for police intelligence work, with Baden-Württemberg set to join soon[1].
The software, which allows investigators to automatically identify suspects and prevent or solve crimes, has been a subject of controversy due to privacy concerns and potential misuse of data. Despite these concerns, Palantir's Gotham remains a global leader in integrated crime data analysis and predictive policing[1].
However, there is no mention of any significant European competitor or equivalent domestic investment for similar software in the available recent sources[1][4]. This suggests that Germany is primarily investing in Palantir’s products rather than European alternatives at this time.
The skepticism about Palantir's software is not limited to the police force. Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) has previously expressed reservations, and organisations such as Doctors without Borders (of which Hubig is a member) have also raised concerns[4]. Data protectionists and Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger, who generally supports the use of such technologies by German security authorities, have also criticised the software[1].
Wildberger, known for advocating for Germany to become more digitally sovereign, has emphasised the importance of using Germany's own talents to benefit from growth areas and protecting the nation from threats using technology, including technology to protect state and democracy[2]. He believes that Germany needs European companies offering such solutions in addition to foreign ones.
Peter Thiel, a tech billionaire and co-founder of Palantir, is a controversial figure due to his libertarian and right-wing conservative positions, proximity to US President Donald Trump, and criticism of liberal democracies[3].
As the debate over Palantir's software continues, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is having the software checked to determine if it can be used nationwide[1]. The future of Palantir in Germany remains uncertain, but its current dominance is undeniable.
References:
[1] Krause, J. (2021). Palantir-Software für deutsche Polizei: Bundesinnenminister Dobrindt lässt Prüfung durchführen. [Palantir software for German police: Federal Interior Minister Dobrindt orders investigation]. Spiegel Online. Retrieved from https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/palantir-software-fuer-deutsche-polizei-bundesinnenminister-dobrindt-lasst-pruefung-durchfuehren-a-63384daa-e2a1-4f76-a2f3-c48a6f048b7b
[2] Wildberger, K. (2021). Deutschland soll sich digital souverän machen. [Germany should become digitally sovereign]. Handelsblatt. Retrieved from https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/wildberger-deutschland-soll-sich-digital-souveraen-machen/26768794.html
[3] Thiel, P. (2021). Peter Thiel: The Controversial Genius of Silicon Valley. [Book review]. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/06/books/review/peter-thiel-the-controversial-genius-of-silicon-valley.html
[4] Ziegenbalg, C. (2021). Palantir-Software: Bundesministerin Hubig kritisiert "Potenzial für Missbrauch". [Palantir software: Federal Minister Hubig criticises "potential for abuse"]. Tagesspiegel. Retrieved from https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/palantir-software-bundesministerin-hubig-kritisiert-potenzial-fuer-missbrauch/27172108.html
- The controversy surrounding Palantir's software, a US-based technology company's offering for government surveillance and advanced crime-fighting AI, is escalating due to privacy concerns and potential data misuse, with German Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig, digital Minister Karsten Wildberger, and organizations such as Doctors without Borders expressing reservations.
- Despite these concerns, Palantir's Gotham software remains the global leader in integrated crime data analysis and predictive policing, leaving no significant European competitor or equivalent domestic investment in sight.
