Palantir Tries to Preserve Their Government Contracts
In a post I’ll write some day, I will show how the WikiLeaks cables show that every time a partner government threatens to use the high tech intelligence toys we share with it–notably our telecommunication wiretapping–to spy on domestic opponents, the Obama Administration makes a very concerted effort to disavow such efforts (if not end the partnership).
Which is why I find it so interesting that the CEO of Palantir Technologies just apologized to Glenn Greenwald for (I guess) allowing HBGary to target him for an oppo research and attack on his credibility.
“As the Co-Founder and CEO of Palantir Technologies, I have directed the company to sever any and all contacts with HB Gary,” the statement starts.
Dr. Karp explains that Palantir Technologies provides a software analytic platform for the analysis of data. They do not provide – “nor do we have any plans to develop” – offensive cyber capabilities.
In addition, the statement says that Palantir does not build software that is designed to allow private sector entities to obtain non-public information, engage in so-called cyber attacks, or take other offensive measures.
“I have made clear in no uncertain terms that Palantir Technologies will not be involved in such activities. Moreover, we as a company, and I as an individual, always have been deeply involved in supporting progressive values and causes. We plan to continue these efforts in the future,” Dr. Karp added.
“The right to free speech and the right to privacy are critical to a flourishing democracy. From its inception, Palantir Technologies has supported these ideals and demonstrated a commitment to building software that protects privacy and civil liberties. Furthermore, personally and on behalf of the entire company, I want to publicly apologize to progressive organizations in general, and Mr. Greenwald in particular, for any involvement that we may have had in these matters.”
Somehow,Dr. Karp forgot to apologize to Brad Friedman, another journalist WBGary–in projects bid in partnership with Palantir–has targeted.
As a reminder, Palantir Technologies is one of the two other security firms that HBGary partnered with to try to get spying business with Bank of America and the Chamber of Commerce.
But perhaps more relevant is Palantir’s primary focus: working with the national security apparatus. They’ve done at least $6,378,332 in business with entities like SOCOM and FBI in the last several years. And while they say they have no plans to adopt “offensive cyber capabilities,” that’s not to say they’re not helping the government analyze data on our presumed enemies.
I would imagine Palantir has pretty good reason to know that the government will not do business with a contractor using the same technologies to target Glenn Greenwald (and maybe Brad Friedman).
At least not publicly. Remember–DOJ recommended Hunton & Williams (which put Palantir and HBGary together for the bid) to Bank of America.
Maybe the teabaggers would like to hire these bozos! That way they can spy into the bedrooms of the rest of us.
And shouldn’t someone contact the Tolkien estate about the use of their trademark?
LOL. I just made the same comment on the last thread.
“…which put P and HBG together for the… GIG?”
“bid.”
Thanks!
Palantir seems to have no doubt that the emails released by Anonymous are real.
Remember that the actual presentation is on a Palantir Powerpoint.
Which is why they’re probably apologizing to Glenn but not Brad–because they cannot claim they didn’t know about that. The BoA presentation appears to have been created by Matthew Steckman, a Palantir employee, and in one email he notes that he has added in the focus on Glenn.
True. Also, Palantir got a good bit of initial funding from the CIA. They really don’t want anyone making that connection to this effort to smear Glenn, et. al.
Ding ding ding.
Yep, and domestic government propaganda efforts, paid for via congressionally appropriate funds, is still illegal.
emptywheel – MI needs your help. We have 1000+ jobs we need to fill: IT, engineers, medical and other. Absolutely free to job seekers. Please read the link and do what you can to tweet it and get the word out.
http://www.mlive.com/jobs/index.ssf/2011/02/engineers_it_professionals_sought_for_oa.html
Sorry to go off topic, could find no way to email you.
Thanks.
I don’t think Palantir is at any real risk of losing their contracts. They’ve said all the right things and they’ve got a real cool toy.
They do seem to believe the emails released are authentic, despite WBGary’s offical position.
Boxturtle (WB’s website is still mostly down)
OT.
Bloomberg this morning: Obama Administration Calls for Winding Down Fannie, Freddie
I presume most readers here understand how F/F was dumping ground for CountryWide & co’s bad loans, not cause or source of ’em. Article is mostly Geithner before congress (I think) yesterday. Timmy:
Article also says Timmy presented a…
“Avoid economic disruptions”… that’s funny.
See dday’s article in the FDL News section, too.
HB Gary’s Barr:
TNNI: What are some of the greatest challenges you’ve experienced in your current position?
Barr: Greatest challenges … there’s so many. Coming from a large integrator, I default to thinking strategically. And now that I’m the CEO of a small company, it’s really being able to take that experience and execute tactically, growing that business in those areas that I mentioned. Those are certainly challenge areas for me. But it’s a good fit for me. Even as a manager, I have always been technical, so I can bring that capability, along with my strategic view and develop tactical, point solutions to help satisfy some of the larger challenges.
http://www.thenewnewinternet.com/2010/06/02/aaron-barr-computer-security-is-a-hunt-an-investigation-it%E2%80%99s-a-challenge/
Hiring the Best and Brightest. Genius, wonderful.
This is interesting. Andy Greenberg at Forbes describes the attack plan as including illegal activities. He says the plan was to:
Glenn Greenwald has addressed the issue now:
http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2011/02/11/campaigns/index.html
Anyone else having trouble connecting to the bradblog? It was weird, my first attempt I got a screen that said I was FORBIDDEN ENTRY???? Now, its just a generic connection problem screen when I have no problem connecting to any other site. I think his site may be under attack.
And velvetrevolution.us isn’t working either.
@Tina…it appears the server(s) hosting Bradblog and Velvet Revolution experienced a hard drive failure. They are both up now.
Ever wonder why we don’t hear more from bank whistle blowers given all the fraud in the banking and mortgage industries?
Bank whistle blowers are being silenced – see: http://www.reportingwrongdoing.com/who-is-silencing-bank-whistle-blowers.html
This story reaffirms how it is done.
Perhaps now criminal retaliation against bank whistle blowers will get media coverage.