Controversial police software: Greens vote to stop Palantir

The Green Party in the German state of Baden-Württemberg has voted decisively to halt the use of controversial US-based Palantir software within the state's police force. An internal ballot saw a staggering 91.7 percent of participating members back the motion to stop the software's deployment, signaling a strong mandate from the party base.

This vote is seen as a reinforcement of the Greens' political direction and a clear message to implement the terms of their coalition agreement with the CDU. The party now aims to introduce a European alternative to Palantir's technology by 2030 at the latest. While the vote's immediate impact may be limited, as the coalition contract already stipulated a push for a European solution by that date, it underscores the internal dissent within the party regarding the use of the software.

The controversial "Gotham" software, approved by the state parliament last November after months of debate, allows police to link vast datasets from various sources. Investigators can use it to search for connections between individuals, locations, and events, potentially identifying patterns related to terrorism or abuse cases more rapidly. However, critics express concerns about the potential for mass surveillance and an overdependence on a single US corporation.

Significant reservations about Palantir's software have long existed within the Green Party. Despite these concerns, the party's parliamentary group ultimately agreed to the contract. Party officials noted that the Interior Ministry finalized the contract without their full knowledge or consent, but they did not wish to withhold a tool from the police for an extended period.

“

We would have preferred no contract with Palantir. The Interior Ministry concluded the contract – without our knowledge and consent. But we also do not want to withhold this instrument from the police for years.