() Americans having their data shared is about to reach a whole different level under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Trump recently announced he is planning on partnering with Palantir Technologies to build a federal database tracking millions of citizens.
But what exactly is Palantir? How did the tech company get involved with Trump? Who is in favor of this program and who opposes?
What is Palantir?
Palantir Technologies is a data and technology firm cofounded by Peter Thiel, Stephen Cohen, Joe Lonsdale and Alex Karp.
The company began in 2003 and specializes in software platforms for people. It has four main projects: Palantir Gotham, Palantir Foundry, Palantir Apollo, and Palantir AIP.
Palantir Gotham is an intelligence and defense tool used by militaries and counter-terrorism analysts. Palantir Foundry focuses on data integration and analysis for corporate clients. Palantir Apollo facilitates continuous integration and delivery across all environments.
What is Palantir’s purpose for Americans?
Trump has stated that Palantir would use the tracking data to help protect citizens and provide better all-around assistance.
In March, Trump handed down an executive order that would push all federal agencies to share their data. The Department of Homeland Security, Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, and United States Department of Health and Human Services have already begun the process, which channels sensitive data into one central database.
“On its face, it looks like the government is trying to save money in terms of operations and not doing the same thing over and over again,” said Armen Kurdian, retired U.S. Navy Captain. “When you look a little deeper, is the implications or the risks of putting all the information together at one time going to make a greater risk for the American public?”
Overall, the pitch would potentially lead to fewer wasted tax dollars, faster services and smarter law enforcement for Americans.
What is Palantir’s relationship with Trump?
Palantir’s cofounder, Peter Thiel, is a known mega donor for Donald Trump.
Thiel has been Trump’s right-hand man in Silicon Valley and worked previously with Elon Musk, Trump’s former senior advisor. The possible centralized database has people on both sides of the fence.
Who’s in favor of or against Palantir and Trump teaming up?
Those who want to see the partnership come to fruition say fraud and efficiency will receive a tremendous boost.
Critics say it could be a “surveillance nightmare.” They also acknowledged that Thiel’s acquiring unprecedented access to Americans’ data goes well beyond privacy and could lead to weaponization.
“In this case, now, instead of something being segmented, a potentially massive database of the entire U.S. population could be at risk,” added Kurdian.
