Palantir is often viewed as a notorious corporation due to its work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the US Department of Defense, and the Israeli military, sparking numerous protests worldwide. However, former employees argue that the public misunderstands what the company actually does and how its software works.
Many people think Palantir buys data from private companies and resells it to the government or scans the internet for unique insights to collect and market to customers. In reality, Palantir’s software helps its clients use their existing data more efficiently, allowing them to integrate and analyze data without needing to fix the underlying architecture.
To explain what Palantir does, former employees struggle because its products are complex, and the company’s marketing strategy contributes to a mysterious public image. Palantir sells tools that help customers sort through data, and its pitch is that they can buy one system to replace multiple dashboards and programs.
The company’s software, such as Foundry and Gotham, are designed for businesses and government agencies to manage inventory, monitor factory lines, and track orders, or connect people, places, and events of interest to law enforcement. Palantir’s focus is on helping customers transcend data storage and structuring challenges, bringing investigations and business decisionmakers to the correct solution.
However, some former employees worry that an authoritarian state could use this power to “tell any narrative they want” about certain groups. They believe software like Palantir’s doesn’t eliminate human bias, as people choose how to work with data and draw conclusions. It can amplify their intentions and biases, making it a powerful tool when used correctly but potentially dangerous if misused.
Palantir’s internal culture emphasizes its meritocratic nature, which can make it difficult for staff to speak out against the company or its business decisions. Former employees praise this culture but acknowledge its limitations. Overall, Palantir is changing the data industry by providing a solution that helps customers work with their existing data more efficiently, but its impact and potential risks are complex issues that require further understanding and scrutiny.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/palantir-what-the-company-does