Concerns Grow Over US Company Palantir’s Access to German Data
Trump, Starlink, and the Risk of Dependency
When Ukraine clashed with Donald Trump, the consequences were swift. US intelligence support stopped. Fears grew about access to Starlink. Trump’s friend Elon Musk controls that network.
Now, similar concerns are surfacing in Hesse, Germany. The state’s police have used US software since 2017. The tool comes from Palantir, a company with close ties to Trump.
What Is “Hessendata”?
Palantir’s Gotham software powers “Hessendata.” It collects and analyzes vast amounts of personal information. Police use it to spot potential threats, track criminals, and prevent attacks.
But can American authorities tap into it?
Data Protection Under Review
Germany’s Federal Data Protection Commissioner, Alexander Roßnagel, is investigating. His office wants to know if US agencies can access Hessian data. The focus is on data leaks and unauthorized access.
So far, the review is ongoing. The commissioner declined to speculate on possible outcomes.
Reliance on a US Company
Palantir’s software does not run independently. Hessian authorities need help from the US firm. Updates come from Palantir. The Interior Ministry in Wiesbaden confirmed this reliance.
A ministry spokesperson claimed all updates are pre-approved. No updates should conflict with Germany’s security interests. Still, many experts worry that’s not enough.
Source Code: A Locked Box
Peer Heinlein, a Berlin-based IT expert, doesn’t trust such promises. He runs Mailbox.org, a secure email provider using open-source tools. With Palantir, the opposite is true.
Palantir keeps its code secret. Heinlein says police don’t know how the software works. He calls it the “principle of hope.”
“Users just trust that nothing goes wrong,” he warns.
The Threat of a “Kill Switch”
Heinlein believes a kill switch could exist. That’s a mechanism allowing Palantir to shut the system down remotely. It’s a technical possibility—and a serious risk.
So far, there is no proof of such a feature. But without access to the code, no one can confirm or deny it.
Black Box Confirmed
The Interior Ministry admits: it does not have the source code. It belongs to Palantir. The company considers it confidential.
However, the Fraunhofer Institute in Darmstadt reviewed it three years ago. They found no issues. That review was commissioned by the Bavarian police.
The Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (LKA) said data leaks are “impossible.” But trust in that statement varies.
Ties to Trump and American Power
Palantir was co-founded by Peter Thiel. He’s a known Trump ally. The company is based in Denver, Colorado. Its advertising stresses power and loyalty to the US government.
One slogan reads: “Software to rule.” Another: “Even on the battlefield.”
Hesse’s Interior Minister Roman Poseck isn’t worried. He rejects the idea of the US as untrustworthy. “Even if the Trump administration acts unpredictably,” he said, “America remains a key partner.”
No European Replacement Yet
Despite security concerns, Poseck defends “Hessendata.” He says it works. In 2018, it helped prevent a terror attack in Eschwege. It’s been used to catch ATM bombers and extremist plotters.
Poseck claims there’s no European software that matches it. If one existed, he’d prefer it. He calls on Europe to build stronger digital tools and reduce dependency.
Federal Push for Local Software
Other states are also seeking local alternatives. In March, Hamburg introduced a motion in the Federal Council. It aimed to block the use of Palantir software.
Six states supported the motion. But it failed to gain a majority.
Still, the pressure is rising. Calls for sovereign, transparent technology are getting louder.
Until then, one question remains unanswered:
If Trump regains the White House—could he pull the plug on Hessian police software?
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