How Palantir Works: The Company, Its Software, and Its Role in Defense and Intelligence
Palantir Technologies is an American software company that develops platforms for data integration and analysis.
Founded in 2003 in Palo Alto, California, it builds systems used by government, defense, and intelligence agencies to bring together large amounts of information from different sources and turn them into a single operational picture.
The company works with U.S. federal departments, European institutions, and NATO partners. Its software supports areas such as intelligence analysis, logistics, crisis management, and border control. Palantir does not collect data itself; it provides the infrastructure and analytical tools that allow governments to use their existing data more effectively.
Main Platforms
1. Palantir Gotham
Used by: Intelligence agencies, defense ministries, and law enforcement.
Gotham is Palantir’s original software platform, designed to connect and analyze data from multiple sources. It helps users combine structured and unstructured data such as reports, surveillance feeds, and databases.
Analysts can search, visualize, and map links between people, places, events, and organizations to identify relationships or potential threats.
Applications:
- Counterterrorism and intelligence analysis
- Law enforcement investigations
- Border and migration data coordination
- Mission and operations planning
2. Palantir Foundry
Used by: Defense and civilian agencies, logistics and planning departments.
Foundry is a data management and operational platform. It allows organizations to combine data from separate systems — for example, logistics, maintenance, or supply databases — and use it for planning and execution.
Foundry users can track assets, monitor performance, and run scenarios to support decision-making.
Applications:
- Defense logistics and supply chain management
- Crisis response and resource planning
- Civil infrastructure and public health coordination
3. Palantir Apollo
Used by: Government and defense clients operating in secure or remote networks.
Apollo is Palantir’s software management layer. It ensures that Gotham and Foundry can run and stay updated across different security environments, including classified networks, ships, or forward bases.
Apollo enables updates and maintenance even without direct internet connectivity.
Applications:
- Secure deployment of Palantir software
- Maintenance across defense and field systems
- Operational continuity in restricted environments
Where It Is Used
Palantir’s software is used by:
- United States: Department of Defense, U.S. Army, Air Force, Special Operations Command, Department of Homeland Security, and intelligence agencies.
- United Kingdom: Ministry of Defence and National Health Service (data integration projects).
- European Union: Reported cooperation with Frontex and other European agencies for border analysis and coordination.
- Allied operations: Various NATO partners use Palantir software for mission planning, logistics, and intelligence sharing.
Criticism and Debate
Surveillance and Privacy
Palantir’s work with intelligence and law enforcement has raised concerns among privacy advocates and civil rights groups.
Critics point to contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and public-sector data projects, such as with the U.K. NHS, as examples where data use and privacy safeguards require scrutiny.
Palantir states that it does not own, sell, or collect data, and that all operations comply with the laws of client governments.
Transparency and Oversight
Many of Palantir’s contracts are classified, limiting public visibility into how its software is used.
Observers have questioned the level of democratic oversight in projects involving sensitive surveillance or defense applications.
Palantir regularly issues public statements to address inaccuracies or clarify its role.
Dependence on Government Contracts
A significant portion of Palantir’s revenue comes from defense and public-sector contracts.
Analysts note that this creates exposure to political changes and budget cycles, though the company has expanded into commercial sectors in recent years.
Conclusion
Palantir provides the data infrastructure that allows defense and intelligence agencies to combine, analyze, and use their information in real time.
Its platforms — Gotham, Foundry, and Apollo — form a connected system for intelligence work, logistics, and secure software deployment.
The company’s technology plays a growing role in national security and defense operations across the United States and Europe. At the same time, ongoing debates continue over privacy, transparency, and accountability in how such systems are used.
Sources
- Palantir Technologies – Official Website – https://www.palantir.com
- Palantir Blog – “Correcting the Record” – https://blog.palantir.com
- Reuters – “U.S. Army memo cites issues in Palantir-Anduril battlefield communication system” (Oct 2025)
- The Guardian – “Palantir’s role in NHS data system sparks renewed privacy concerns” (Jul 2025)
- New Statesman – “The Palantir Problem: NHS and data control” (Mar 2025)
- Forbes – “As Palantir Revenues Rise, Controversy Grows” (Aug 2025)
- Le Monde – “L’entreprise américaine Palantir et la base de données géante sur les citoyens” (Aug 2025)
- Futurism – “How ICE uses Palantir’s software in immigration enforcement” (2025)
