Palantir shares have surged 5.38% after the company announced a major deal with the US government, but behind this stock price boost lies a more complex issue about privacy, artificial intelligence, and surveillance. At the core of the project is Palantir’s Gotham software, which will be used to consolidate millions of personal records under a single AI-powered lens.
The platform aims to improve old databases by using real-time data integration and artificial intelligence to profile behavior, detect fraud, and identify individuals or patterns deemed risky. However, civil liberties groups are raising serious alarms about this deal, citing concerns over data centralization, control, and misuse.
Critics warn that the system could easily evolve into a digital dragnet, potentially used for targeted surveillance, immigration crackdowns, or even political purposes. The move to consolidate data and power has also raised fears of misuse during an already polarized political climate.
The deal has sparked concerns about permanence, as what starts as fraud detection could quickly morph into a tool of control. Additionally, another part of the federal data effort is building a parallel system to track and monitor immigrants using personal data, which has further alarmed privacy watchdogs.
Despite the buzz around Palantir’s government deal, Wall Street remains divided. Analysts are cautious about the company’s long-term profitability, with some seeing it as a major breakthrough in data infrastructure while others worry about significant political risk. The average 12-month price target is $100.13, which suggests analysts think the market may be too optimistic.
The real story behind Palantir’s stock surge and government deal is still unfolding, but it has long-term implications for privacy, civil rights, and the balance of power in America’s digital infrastructure.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/palantir-to-create-vast-federal-data-platform-tying-together-millions-of-americans-private-records-stock-jumps/articleshow/121521062.cms?from=mdr