Agency Chooses Against Utilizing Palantir Software - Democratic bodies remain undecided on the adoption of Palantir software in their operations.
The use of Palantir's data analysis software, known as "Gotham", is a topic of intense debate in Germany. This software, developed by the US-based tech company founded by Peter Thiel in 2003, is employed by intelligence services, military, and police forces worldwide.
In Hamburg, the police do not use Palantir's software as a standard application primarily due to constitutional concerns and opposition to automated mass data analysis and surveillance practices embedded in the system. The Federal Constitutional Court has declared the use of such automated data analysis by investigators in Hamburg (and Hesse) unconstitutional in its current form, raising significant privacy and transparency issues.
The decision in Hamburg is also influenced by the need for European independence and autonomy in the current geopolitical situation. Baden-Württemberg, however, is planning to adopt Palantir's software, reflecting a more favorable stance towards this platform compared to Hamburg. The police in Baden-Württemberg had already concluded a five-year contract with Palantir, but the legal basis for this was still lacking.
The government in Baden-Württemberg is now considering a change in the law to enable the use of Palantir's software, despite the criticism. This move is being supported by the green-black coalition in the region. However, the application will be subject to special control to ensure its use aligns with the region's legal frameworks and upholds privacy rights.
In contrast, Bavaria, Hesse, and North Rhine-Westphalia also rely on the software and have adapted their police laws accordingly. The decision in Hamburg to exclude Palantir as a standard application for the future is aimed at ensuring digital sovereignty and reliable availability of such a system for security authorities in Germany.
Many in Europe view Thiel critically, with concerns about making security-relevant infrastructure dependent on US companies. Thiel is known for his libertarian and right-wing conservative positions, his proximity to US President Donald Trump, and his criticism of liberal democracies. Thiel currently holds about seven percent of the company, according to the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Interior.
The German Press Agency is reporting on this ongoing situation regarding Palantir's software, highlighting the differing views and decisions among German regions. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how this issue will unfold in the future.
- In light of the constitutional concerns, opposition to automated data analysis, and the push for European independence, the employment policy of using Palantir's data analysis software in Germany is marked by regional disparities among various EC countries.
- As technology advances and gadgets like Palantir's data analysis software become increasingly prevalent, the employment policy debates in Germany, particularly surrounding privacy, transparency, and digital sovereignty, serve as examples for other nations navigating similar issues in the current geopolitical climate.
