The controversy surrounding Palantir is about far more than technology.
Human rights groups have criticized the company over its links to surveillance, immigration enforcement and military programs. Its partnership with Israel during the Gaza war has also raised legal and ethical questions about the role of private technology companies in armed conflict.
Critics argue that Palantir’s business model creates long-term dependence by embedding its platforms into governments’ health, defense and security systems. The real concern is not simply who owns the data—but who shapes how states analyze it, make decisions and exercise power.
For many European governments, this has become a question of digital sovereignty, not just cybersecurity.