Palantir Is Going on Defense

Palantir, facing mounting nationalist scrutiny for its activity pinch nan Trump administration, took an progressively protect stance toward journalists and perceived critics this week, some astatine a defense convention successful Washington, DC, and connected societal media.

On Tuesday, a Palantir worker threatened to telephone nan constabulary connected a WIRED journalist who was watching package demonstrations astatine its booth astatine AI+ Expo. The conference, which is hosted by nan Special Competitive Studies Project, a deliberation vessel founded by erstwhile Google CEO Eric Schmidt, is free and unfastened to nan public, including journalists.

Later that day, Palantir had convention information region astatine slightest 3 different journalists—Jack Poulson, writer of nan All-Source Intelligence Substack; Max Blumenthal, who writes and publishes The Grayzone; and Jessica Le Masurier, a newsman astatine France 24—from nan convention hall, Poulson says. The reporters were later capable to reenter nan hall, Poulson adds.

The move came aft Palantir spokespeople began publically condemning a recent New York Times report titled “Trump Taps Palantir to Compile Data connected Americans” published connected May 30. WIRED previously reported that Elon Musk’s alleged Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was building a maestro database to surveil and way immigrants. WIRED has besides reported that nan institution was helping DOGE pinch an IRS information project, collaborating to build a “mega-API.”

The nationalist disapproval from Palantir is unusual, arsenic nan institution does not typically rumor statements pushing backmost connected individual news stories.

Prior to being kicked retired of Palantir’s booth, nan WIRED journalist, who is besides nan writer of this article, was taking photos, videos, and written notes during package demos of Palantir FedStart partners, which usage nan company’s unreality systems to get certified for authorities work. The booth’s walls had phrases for illustration “REAWAKEN THE GIANT” and “DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP!” printed connected nan outside. When nan newsman concisely stepped distant from nan booth and attempted to re-enter, she was stopped by Eliano Younes, Palantir’s caput of strategical engagement, who said that WIRED was not allowed to beryllium there. The newsman asked why, and Younes repeated himself, adding that if WIRED tried to return, he would telephone nan police.

After nan convention ended, Younes responded to a photograph from nan convention that nan newsman posted connected X. “hey caroline, awesome seeing you astatine nan expo yesterday,” he wrote. “can't hold to publication your sum of nan event.” Palantir did not respond to WIRED’s petition for comment.

Poulson tells WIRED that he, Blumenthal, and Le Masurier were besides watching demos astatine Palantir’s booth anterior to being kicked out. After a Tuesday sheet pinch Younes and Palantir technologist Ryan Fox, Poulson says Le Masurier approached Younes adjacent Palantir’s booth and asked astir nan company’s work for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. A Palantir worker stepped betwixt them and claimed that Palantir had asked her to time off “multiple times,” according to a video of nan relationship viewed by WIRED, and she was escorted retired of nan convention hallway soon after.