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Palantir's European Expansion Sparks Privacy Backlash

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A growing coalition is demanding European governments halt contracts with Palantir Technologies, the US surveillance company accused of enabling human rights abuses. The campaign calls for immediate reviews of existing deals and investment in European alternatives, citing concerns over data privacy, democratic oversight, and the company's involvement in controversial operations.

Critics point to Palantir's contracts across Europe, from German police using its software to track suspects to the UK's National Health Service sharing vast healthcare datasets. The company's rapid expansion has largely occurred without public scrutiny, raising alarms about mass surveillance infrastructure being built with taxpayer money. Palantir's CEO Alex Karp has made statements suggesting aggressive intentions toward adversaries.

The controversy centers on whether European governments should grant sensitive public systems access to a private US firm. Advocates argue that transparency and democratic control are essential before expanding these relationships. The campaign represents a broader pushback against foreign surveillance companies operating in Europe's public sector.