Cofounded by tech billionaire Peter Thiel, Palantir has become notorious for its work with agencies such as ICE, the US Department of Defense, and various international military organizations. This association has provoked significant protests and outrage globally. In the latest episode of Uncanny Valley, WIRED staff writer Caroline Haskins joins the hosts to unravel what Palantir really does.
Throughout the discussion, it becomes clear that there are numerous misconceptions about Palantir’s operations. Although often labeled as a data broker or a data mining company, the reality is more nuanced. Caroline explains that Palantir does not actually buy or sell data. Instead, it provides infrastructure and tools that allow organizations to manage and analyze their own data more effectively.
Palantir’s two primary products are Foundry and Gotham. Foundry is aimed at private enterprises, helping them enhance operational efficiencies by integrating legacy systems and making insights more accessible. Gotham, on the other hand, serves government agencies and law enforcement, allowing them to analyze case-related information and visualize complex relationships.
Despite its significant role in government surveillance and military operations, Palantir has faced criticism for the secrecy that surrounds its projects. Many citizens remain unaware of its extensive data collection efforts, further fueled by the company’s reluctance to engage with criticism. Caroline shares her own unsettling experience of being barred from a Palantir event, highlighting the company’s secretive nature.
Internally, Palantir fosters an environment steeped in military terminology and ethos. Employees, referring to themselves as “forward deployed engineers,” often communicate using military-inspired phrases, revealing a corporate culture that aligns closely with its government partnerships. This militarization of language may also reflect the company’s broader mission influenced by the visions of its founders—Thiel and CEO Alex Karp—who have consistently advocated for a "techno state," where technology serves state interests.
With Palantir’s stock soaring by nearly 2500% since going public in 2020, the company’s embrace of military contracts and defense technology appears to be paying off. Karp’s recent book advocates for a return to a unified tech mission in service of national security, simultaneously stripping away the veil of its previous aversion to direct military association.
This episode encourages listeners to consider Palantir’s implications on privacy and the role of technology in safeguarding state security. The narrative reveals an unsettling intersection between innovation, surveillance, and governance—raising important questions about the future of technology in our lives.
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