European Governments Seek Alternatives to Reduce Dependency on Palantir

• Many European governments are increasingly distancing themselves from the US tech firm Palantir due to concerns over digital sovereignty and potential security risks.
• A cross-border investigation, including netzpolitik.org, has revealed extensive and controversial contracts between Palantir and various public sector institutions across Europe.
• While some nations like the UK have made massive investments in the firm, German states are actively searching for domestic or European alternatives.

Presence in Europe

• The UK is the company's largest European client, with over €1 billion spent on health data platforms (NHS) and defense contracts.
• A June 2026 report from the UK Parliament warned of the dangers of over-reliance on the firm, citing a misalignment between the company's values and UK interests.
• Militarily, Palantir has contracts in eight European countries; the NATO alliance utilizes the company's "Maven" system for decision support.

The Situation in Germany

• At the federal level, usage is minimal, with ministries citing security concerns or lack of demand.
• Four German states (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, and North Rhine-Westphalia) currently use Palantir software for police data analysis, with costs exceeding €95 million.
• Local governments are actively planning exits: Baden-Württemberg aims to transition to European alternatives by 2030, and North Rhine-Westphalia is currently tendering for new software that includes AI-driven analysis capabilities.

Criticism and Company Stance

• Experts like Francesca Bria argue that the software lacks transparency, even toward government clients, and warn that Palantir prioritizes US interests over European stability.
• Palantir rejects these claims, asserting that clients maintain control over their data and emphasizing that over 20 percent of its workforce is now based in Europe.