Police software in Brandenburg raises concerns due to US origins
In Germany, the use of Palantir's security software by coalition states has sparked debate and growing criticism, particularly due to concerns about privacy and constitutional rights.
The software, developed by the US tech company founded by Peter Thiel in 2003, is under scrutiny for its mass data processing capabilities. Critics argue that it enables controversial practices like predictive policing, raising issues about surveillance and civil liberties.
Federal Justice Minister Sabine Hubig (SPD) has publicly expressed constitutional concerns about employing Palantir’s analysis software in German law enforcement, emphasizing data protection issues. The Brandenburg SPD/BSW coalition views the software critically, with Friederike Benda, BSW state chairwoman, warning against a "surveillance state through the backdoor."
Several German states, including Baden-Württemberg, have moved towards allowing the use of Palantir software for police data analysis, though sometimes under specific conditions or temporarily. The German police and intelligence agencies continue expanding the use of this technology, driven by efforts to combat crime and terrorism using artificial intelligence.
However, the police in Hamburg have ruled out the use of Palantir, and Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig emphasized that only means compatible with the principles of the rule of law would be used. Interior Minister René Wilke aims to create a legal framework to use digital possibilities like AI software to track down criminals more quickly, but emphasizes that it must be very secure due to the sensitive data involved.
The society for civil liberties (GFF) has filed a constitutional complaint against the use of Palantir in Bavaria, claiming it violates the fundamental right to determine one's own data. Benda considers Palantir opaque, data-hungry, and beyond democratic control, making it completely unacceptable.
Meanwhile, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) is having Palantir checked for nationwide use. Despite the controversy, Germany’s Digital Affairs Minister Karsten Wildberger shows openness toward such technologies, indicating some government support amid the debate.
The software allows for millions of data from various sources to be evaluated and linked, making it a powerful tool in the fight against crime. However, the concerns about privacy and constitutional rights continue to be a significant obstacle in its widespread adoption in Germany.
Data-and-cloud-computing technology, such as Palantir's security software, has ignited a contentious debate in Germany due to privacy and constitutional rights concerns. Critics argue that this technology, raised from scrutiny due to its mass data processing capabilities, may facilitate controversial practices like predictive policing, which raises surveillance and civil liberties issues. The society for civil liberties (GFF) has filed a constitutional complaint against the use of Palantir in Bavaria, asserting it breaches the fundamental right to determine one's own data. Additionally, politics and policy-and-legislation play a significant role in the adoption of such technology, with federal and state ministries employing varying degrees of support or skepticism towards its use, often influenced by general news and public opinions surrounding data protection and surveillance.
