Expanded Application of Palantir Surveillance Software by German Law Enforcement
In recent times, the use of Palantir's surveillance software in Germany, particularly in Bavaria, has sparked significant debates about privacy rights and data protection. The Society for Civil Rights (GFF) and the Chaos Computer Club, a German hacker association, have filed a constitutional complaint against the deployment of Palantir in Bavaria, arguing that the software violates privacy rights by inappropriately associating unrelated individuals with criminal data [2].
The software, known as HessenData and VeRA in Bavaria, is actively used by police and intelligence agencies to combat criminality and terrorism through artificial intelligence-driven data analysis [1][5]. While some government officials endorse its use, citing the need for law enforcement to keep pace with criminals who exploit digital technologies, critics emphasize that these tools must operate within strict legal boundaries to protect privacy [2].
The software can provide a comprehensive profile of any person, including name, age, address, criminal record, cellphone data, and scanned social media contents. It is worth noting that Palantir, the company behind the software, is owned by US billionaire Peter Thiel, who has a reputation for pursuing authoritarian goals and maintaining close contacts with President Donald Trump and his political circle [7].
The GFF's opposition to programs like Palantir stems from concerns about large-scale data analysis, which they believe breaches the fundamental right to informational self-determination and the confidentiality of telecommunications, as guaranteed in the German constitution [3]. Three German federal states - Bavaria, Hesse, and North Rhine-Westphalia - are currently using the software, with Baden-Württemberg planning to implement it [1].
By May 2025, VeRA had been used in about 100 cases, including the attack on the Israeli consulate in Munich in September 2024. Under current law in Bavaria, police may use the software even when there is no indication of danger, which is a point of contention for privacy advocates and civil rights organizations [4].
The German Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), has not ruled out purchasing Palantir software for the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Federal Police. However, his stance contrasts with that of his predecessor, Nancy Faeser (SPD), who had rejected the use of these programs in 2023 [8].
The US intelligence agencies and the military have long worked with the Gotham program developed by Palantir. US intelligence agencies' involvement adds another layer of concern for privacy advocates, as it raises questions about the potential sharing of data between German and US authorities [6].
The GFF's constitutional complaint against the use of Palantir has garnered strong public support, with over 264,000 signatures on an online petition as of July 30 [9]. The Chaos Computer Club supports the complaint, citing concerns about the opaque software of the US company Palantir and potential misuse of data [2].
As the new German government, consisting of the CDU/CSU, SPD, and the goal of a digitally sovereign Germany is stated in their coalition agreement, the debate about the use of Palantir's surveillance software in Germany is likely to continue, reflecting tensions between public security goals and civil liberties in the country.
References: 1. Deutsche Welle 2. Der Spiegel 3. GFF 4. Sueddeutsche Zeitung 5. NDR 6. The Intercept 7. The New York Times 8. Der Tagesspiegel 9. Change.org
- The use of Palantir's surveillance software in Germany, particularly in Bavaria, has ignited debates about privacy rights and data protection, as evident in the constitutional complaint filed by the Society for Civil Rights (GFF) and the Chaos Computer Club.
- Palantir's software, known as HessenData and VeRA in Bavaria, is employed by police and intelligence agencies for data analysis and combatting criminality and terrorism, but its use is at the heart of criticism due to its ability to create comprehensive profiles of individuals.
- Critics argue that these large-scale data analysis programs, like Palantir, breach the fundamental right to informational self-determination and the confidentiality of telecommunications, as guaranteed in the German constitution.
- The software can encompass details such as name, age, address, criminal record, cellphone data, and scanned social media contents, making it a point of concern for privacy advocates and civil rights organizations.
- The German Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), has not ruled out purchasing Palantir software for the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Federal Police, a stance that contrasts with his predecessor, Nancy Faeser (SPD), who rejected its use in 2023.
- The US intelligence agencies and the military have long collaborated with Palantir's Gotham program, raising questions about potential data sharing between German and US authorities, which further worry privacy advocates.
- US billionaire Peter Thiel, who owns Palantir, has ties with President Donald Trump and his political circle, which adds another layer of concern for those apprehensive about the company's authoritarian goals.
- The GFF's constitutional complaint against the use of Palantir has garnered strong public support, with over 264,000 signatures on an online petition as of July 30, and the Chaos Computer Club supports the complaint due to concerns about the opaque software of the US company Palantir and potential data misuse.
- The debate about the use of Palantir's surveillance software is likely to persist, reflecting tensions between public security goals and civil liberties in the country, as the new German government, consisting of the CDU/CSU, SPD, and the goal of a digitally sovereign Germany, is stated in their coalition agreement.
