The Most Terrifying Company in America Is Probably One You’ve Never Heard Of (www.thedailybeast.com)
from Zerush@lemmy.ml to security@lemmy.ml on 28 Jun 14:10
https://lemmy.ml/post/32390578

Palantir Technologies has emerged as one of the most influential and controversial tech companies in 2025, with its AI-powered data analytics platforms deeply embedded in military, intelligence, and civilian operations worldwide.

The company’s CEO Alex Karp openly embraces its role in lethal operations, stating in February 2025 that Palantir exists “to scare enemies and on occasion kill them”[^1]. Under his leadership, Palantir has secured major contracts including:

Critics warn that Palantir’s technology enables mass surveillance and human rights violations. The company’s software “swallows everything: hospital records, welfare files, license plate scans, school roll calls, immigration logs and even tweets” to create comprehensive profiles of individuals[^4].

Recent developments highlight growing concerns:

Palantir’s influence stems from its unique position as both a commercial enterprise and quasi-governmental entity, with deep ties to intelligence agencies since its founding with CIA funding[^8]. The company doesn’t just sell to governments - it increasingly replaces government functions, operating as “an informant, an adjudicator, a silent partner in the construction of a predictive regime”[^9].

[^1]: Asia Times - The most dangerous man in America isn’t Trump—it’s Alex Karp [^2]: CNBC - Police detain six outside Palantir office at protest over deportations, military work [^3]: The Daily Beast - The Most Terrifying Company in America Is Probably One You’ve Never Heard Of [^4]: Front Page News - PALANTIR: World’s Most Dangerous Organisation [^5]: Economic Times - Palantir Under Siege: Protesters rage over surveillance, ICE links in NYC office blockade [^6]: Forbes - Palantir’s Valuation Is Becoming Harder To Defend [^7]: The Independent - Stephen Miller owns stock in ICE contractor Palantir [^8]: Zeteo - Meet the Tech Billionaire Just as Dangerous as Elon Musk [^9]: Attack the System - Palantir: the world’s most evil company

#security

threaded - newest

A_Union_of_Kobolds@lemmy.world on 28 Jun 14:19 next collapse

archive.is/bAaSk

comfy@lemmy.ml on 28 Jun 15:07 next collapse

Maybe I’m biased by being in socialist circles but I’d be surprised if many lemmy.ml users in tech comms had “Never Heard Of” Palantir or Thiel.

GammaGames@beehaw.org on 28 Jun 16:26 next collapse

Yeah, I think headlines like these are meant to cast a wider net to get people that actually don’t know.

Kinda like how people knew about Project 2025 for a year before the media actually started covering it.

ReversalHatchery@beehaw.org on 28 Jun 16:24 next collapse

I guess lemmy users are not the target audience. OP just used the original title which is good

comfy@lemmy.ml on 29 Jun 01:31 collapse

As much as I don’t like clickbait titles, that is a good point.

Zerush@lemmy.ml on 28 Jun 16:35 collapse

Until now more known in the US, not so much in the EU

killingspark@feddit.org on 28 Jun 20:36 next collapse

Also german state level police are trying to get the Software … Fun times

Zerush@lemmy.ml on 28 Jun 23:10 collapse

Yes, but in the EU a lot of the functions can’t be used because of the GDPR and privacy law, the police always need a court order to investigate a person. Mass surveillance are not possible (at least for the moment)

corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca on 29 Jun 03:59 collapse

liberal democracies

Seen any?