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Palantir

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Palantir
Basic information
Founded 2003-05-06
Legal Structure Public
Industry Software
Official website https://www.palantir.com

Palantir Technologies Inc. is a data analytics company founded in 2003 with early backing from tech investor Peter Thiel and In-Q-Tel, the venture capital arm of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).[1] Its platforms Gotham and Foundry, help governments and enterprises integrate data for secure AI-driven decision-making at scale.[2]

Consumer-impact summary[edit | edit source]

Impact summary[edit | edit source]

  • User freedom
Restricted access to predefined applications and workflows; limited autonomy due to centralized control by deploying organizations.
  • User privacy
Privacy protections are built into platforms, but use in sensitive government applications raises civil liberties concerns.
  • Business model
Software licensing model focused on B2B and government sectors. Revenue driven by high-value contracts in complex data environments.
  • Market control
Strong position in government and enterprise data analytics due to specialization and security authorizations; faces scrutiny over ethical implications of its applications.

Consumer-impact[edit | edit source]

User freedom[edit | edit source]

Palantir's platforms, particularly Foundry, offer a Consumer mode designed to restrict user access to specific applications and workflows without granting broader platform access. This mode is configured to ensure that:

  • Consumer users can only access target applications and necessary resources, with API access restricted to their specific needs.
  • They are prevented from seeing the full Foundry login page or are automatically redirected if already authenticated, aiming for a seamless experience.
  • Builders and administrators can enforce that consumers never receive roles beyond the consumer role, and they can isolate users from discovering other users or groups within the organization.

However, this controlled access environment may limit user autonomy, as all permissions and visible features are strictly defined by the organization deploying the Palantir software, rather than by the end-consumer themselves.

User privacy[edit | edit source]

Palantir emphasizes its role as a data processor, not a data controller, meaning that customers (e.g., businesses or government agencies) retain full ownership and control over their data. Key privacy aspects include:

  • Data handling: Palantir states it does not collect, hold, store, or sell customer data for its own purposes. It does not use customer data to train AI models, and each customer's data is walled off from others.
  • Privacy protections: The company integrates privacy and governance features into its products, including data access controls, usage limitations, and detailed audit trails to help customers comply with data protection regulations.
  • Transparency: Palantir claims to provide tools for customers to have transparency and control over how data is accessed and used. However, the company itself does not have unfettered access to customer data; any access by Palantir engineers requires explicit customer instruction and is revoked after project completion.

Despite these measures, Palantir's work with government agencies (e.g., defense, intelligence, and immigration) has drawn criticism regarding potential implications for civil liberties and privacy due to the sensitive nature of the data processed.

Business model[edit | edit source]

Palantir's business model is based on licensing its software platforms (Gotham, Foundry, Apollo) to organizations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors . Important points include:

  • Revenue sources: The company generates revenue through government contracts (e.g., with the Department of Defense, ICE, and intelligence agencies) and commercial clients (e.g., banks, automotive manufacturers, and healthcare systems).
  • Value proposition: Palantir's platforms help customers integrate and analyze large, siloed datasets to improve decision-making and operational efficiency. The company emphasizes that its software reduces implementation time from months to days.
  • Stance on data: Unlike many tech companies, Palantir does not monetize personal data. Instead, it earns revenue through software licensing and related services.

Palantir has experienced significant growth, with 2024 revenue projected between $2.805 billion and $2.809 billion, driven by government contracts and demand for AI solutions.

Market control[edit | edit source]

Palantir holds a strong position in the data analytics and AI sector, particularly in government and high-sensitivity industries. Factors influencing its market control include:

  • Specialization: The company focuses on complex data integration and analysis for large organizations, with platforms designed for highly regulated environments.
  • Competitive advantage: Palantir's ability to secure major government contracts and its authorization for Mission Critical National Security Systems by the U.S. Department of Defense contribute to its market strength.
  • Market presence: As of early 2025, Palantir had a market capitalization of approximately $35 billion, though it faces questions about growth sustainability and valuation.
  • Criticism and scrutiny: The company has faced criticism for its role in government surveillance and immigration enforcement, which may impact its market perception and relationships.

Incidents[edit | edit source]

WikiLeaks Proposals (2010)[edit | edit source]

The Team Themis WikiLeaks proposal was a 2010–2011 plan by Palantir Technologies, HBGary Federal, and Berico Technologies, discussed with the law firm Hunton & Williams, to undermine WikiLeaks and supporters using cyberattacks, disinformation, and pressure on journalists such as Glenn Greenwald[3][4]. The materials surfaced after Anonymous hacked HBGary in February 2011 and released tens of thousands of emails[5]. Following publication, Palantir apologized and severed all contacts with HBGary, and Berico said it had discontinued all ties with HBGary Federal[6][7]. Bank of America and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said they had not hired the firms for this work[8].

ICE Partnership (Since 2014)[edit | edit source]

[9][10]

- Investigative Case Management

- Investigative Tools (FALCON)

- ImmigrationOS [11]

- Data Collection


Data Analysis on Facebook Data acquired from Cambridge Analytica (2016, 2018)[edit | edit source]

[12]

Controversies[edit | edit source]

Project Maven Defense Drones (Since 2018)[edit | edit source]

[13][14]

Second Trump Administration Stock Ownership (2025)[edit | edit source]

[15][16][17]

See also[edit | edit source]

Link to relevant theme articles or companies with similar incidents.


Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.


References[edit | edit source]

  1. Sherman, Natalie (2020-09-20). "Palantir: The controversial data firm now worth £17bn". bbc.com. British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 2025-06-01. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
  2. "Home | Palantir". Palantir. Archived from the original on 2025-09-09. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  3. Anderson, Nate (February 14, 2011). "Spy Games: Inside the Convoluted Plot to Bring Down WikiLeaks". Wired. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  4. "The WikiLeaks Threat: An Overview by Palantir Technologies, HBGary Federal, and Berico Technologies" (PDF). WikiLeaks. 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  5. Arthur, Charles (February 7, 2011). "Anonymous attacks US security company". The Guardian. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  6. Andy, Greenberg (2011-02-11). "Palantir Apologizes For WikiLeaks Attack Proposal, Cuts Ties With HBGary". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  7. Olson, Parmy (February 11, 2011). "Anonymous Ready To Dump More HBGary E-mails; Launch AnonLeaks". Forbes. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  8. Halliday, Josh (February 15, 2011). "Anonymous: US security firms 'planned to attack WikiLeaks'". The Guardian. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  9. "Palantir Contracts Raise Human Rights Concerns before Direct Listing". Amnesty International USA. 2020-09-28. Archived from the original on 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  10. Allyn, Bobby (2025-05-03). "Palantir's 'spy tech' set to power Trump admin priorities". NPR. Archived from the original on 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  11. Ho, Rosemarie (2025-04-17). "Palantir, ICE Agree to $30 Million Tech Contract". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  12. Confessore, Nicholas; Rosenberg, Matthew (2018-03-27). "Spy Contractor's Idea Helped Cambridge Analytica Harvest Facebook Data". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  13. "Contracts For May 29, 2024". U.S. Department of War. 2024-05-29. Archived from the original on 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  14. Peterson, Becky (2019-12-10). "Palantir Took Over From Google on Project Maven". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  15. Schwellenbach, Nick (2025-05-24). "Stephen Miller's Financial Stake in ICE Contractor Palantir". Project On Government Oversight (POGO). Archived from the original on 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  16. Miller; Stephen (2025-01-01). "Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278e)". DocumentCloud. Archived from the original on 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  17. Nick, Schwellenbach; Neil, Gordon (2025-08-25). "https://www.pogo.org/investigations/gold-rush-top-trump-officials-silicon-valley-ties". Project On Government Oversight (POGO). Archived from the original on 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-09-10. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)