German minister pushes for EU technology as Palantir gains ground

Germany’s Digital Affairs Minister Karsten Wildberger has expressed openness to using technologies like the controversial analysis software developed by US firm Palantir for domestic security purposes - but he also emphasized the need for European alternatives.

In remarks published by the Funke media group on Sunday, Wildberger, a member of the conservative Christian Democrats, said Germany must protect itself as geopolitical threats grow and technology is increasingly used by authoritarian states.

He argued that if a provider offers effective security technology, the country should consider investing in it. "However, we should also have European companies that can offer such solutions," he said.

His comments came in response to questions about the growing interest among several German states in using Palantir software for law enforcement.

The platform is already in use by police in Bavaria, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia, and is expected to be introduced in Baden-Württemberg.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is currently reviewing whether the software should be deployed nationwide.

Palantir’s software is designed to help investigators identify suspects and prevent or solve crimes. The tool has drawn criticism from data privacy advocates due to its surveillance capabilities.

The data analysis and technology firm was co-founded in 2003 by US billionaire Peter Thiel, a prominent supporter of President Donald Trump. Palantir has worked with US defence and intelligence agencies for years.

Its software can aggregate massive amounts of data from multiple sources, enabling security agencies to identify patterns, connections and potential threats.

Critics deride it as surveillance technology that undermines the right to privacy, especially without proper oversight.

Wildberger also called for greater digital independence for Germany. He noted that around "75% of the cloud services used in the country are provided by major US tech companies."

While long-standing partnerships with these firms continue, he argued that Germany should also harness "our own talents" to compete in fast-growing digital sectors.