Concerns are mounting in Germany regarding a potential nationwide deployment of data analytics software from the U.S. firm Palantir within German law enforcement agencies. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) has signaled strong opposition to the proposal, raising questions about data security, transparency and adherence to democratic principles.
Johannes Schätzl, the SPD’s digital policy spokesperson, voiced significant reservations in an interview with the “Frankfurter Rundschau”, stating his belief that relying on a U.S. company with opaque algorithms and lacking democratic oversight regarding data processing poses a substantial risk. He definitively rejected the prospect of Palantir’s use by German security authorities.
The opposition stems from concerns over Palantir’s close ties to the previous Trump administration and U.S. intelligence services, coupled with reservations about the values of co-founder Peter Thiel. Schätzl warned that granting such a company access to sensitive citizen data could jeopardize both the independence of Germany’s security infrastructure and fundamental freedoms. He further questioned the compatibility of the system’s operation with European fundamental rights, the AI Act and the German constitution.
The potential deployment initially suggested by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who had previously indicated the possibility of nationwide adoption, has faced criticism across the political spectrum. Members of the Green Party and the Left party have echoed these concerns, urging caution and emphasizing the need for alternative solutions.
Marcel Emmerich, Green Party spokesperson for internal affairs, urged Dobrindt to prioritize the development and implementation of existing German and European alternatives that offer greater transparency and a stronger legal foundation. Clara Bünger, a Left party representative, expressed fears that the Palantir software could result in a widespread assault on the privacy of millions of people in Germany.
