In Germany, intelligence chooses the French ChapsVision and drops Palantir Technologies, the most controversial Californian data mining company, with deep ties to U.S. intelligence and military agencies.
According to German media WDR, NDR, and Süddeutsche Zeitung, the BfV (Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz), Germany’s internal intelligence service, has selected ChapsVision to provide a big data analysis platform based on artificial intelligence, thus rejecting the solution proposed by the American data intelligence company led by Alex Karp.
Already in December, the president of the BfV, Sinan Selen, had stated that the agency intended to focus on European alternatives to Palantir.
The decision is part of the broader European effort to reduce technological dependence on the United States in strategic and security sectors. After all, Palantir has long divided opinions, notes Dw, explaining that “In the eyes of its supporters and opponents, the analytical tools produced by the publicly traded American company, requested worldwide, are considered either a miracle solution or the work of the devil.”
All the details.
IN GERMANY THE BFV WILL USE ARGONOS SOFTWARE
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, known as the BfV, plans to use ChapsVision’s ArgonOS software to analyze structured and unstructured data and prepare it for human analysts, according to reports from WDR, NDR, and SZ media. Several agencies in France already use the software, including the internal intelligence service DGSI, recalls Politico.
“By choosing ArgonOS, the BfV sends a clear signal in favor of European digital sovereignty,” Marc Henrichmann, chairman of the German parliamentary committee overseeing intelligence services, told Politico. “ArgonOS’s ability to hold up in the long term will have to be proven through its operational use. Performance must remain the primary criterion, not just origin.”
FRENCH PREFERENCE
According to reports, the French company led by Olivier Dellenbach has partnered with the German company Rola Security Solutions, whose solution is already integrated into the police analysis network. Although the operational effectiveness of the partnership’s offering has been demonstrated, its implementation remains subject to a proposed reform of the law governing intelligence services, recalls Les Echos.
Also in Germany, the Bundeswehr, the German armed forces, has selected ChapsVision, along with two other German companies, for the creation of its secure private cloud dedicated to AI-based data processing.
GERMAN CONCERNS ABOUT PALANTIR
The decision comes amid a broad debate in Germany about Palantir Technologies’ role in the national security infrastructure. Some German police forces already use the software from the company founded by Peter Thiel, while the Ministry of the Interior is reportedly considering their use at the federal level as well. Criticism focuses particularly on potential risks related to data protection, fundamental rights, and technological dependence on a U.S. supplier.
KARP’S RESPONSE
Meanwhile, Palantir is closely following the debate in Germany.
In a recent interview with the German tabloid Bild, Palantir CEO Alex Karp spoke of a mix of caution and rejection. He noted that Berlin cannot afford to do without his company’s expertise, emphasizing that Palantir’s software is already used “on every major battlefield in the world.” Karp added that he understands countries’ desire to have independent systems but questioned Germany’s ability to reject Palantir’s technology. Finally, he concluded that the critical German debate on AI-based software seemed to him “as if they were talking about witchcraft.”
