Trump-Palantir’s Surveillance on Americans: A Step Towards
In the United States, a troubling development has emerged under the Trump administration, one that evokes the ominous warnings of George Orwell’s 1984. The administration’s deepening ties with Palantir Technologies—a data analytics company co-founded by Trump ally Peter Thiel—have sparked widespread skepticism about the rise of a “Big Brother” surveillance state.
Palantir’s powerful tools, designed to process and analyze massive datasets, are being harnessed to centralize personal information from federal agencies, creating a system that critics fear could monitor Americans on an unprecedented scale. This partnership raises grave concerns about the infringement of constitutional rights, the restriction of individual freedoms, and the ethical implications of mass surveillance—not only within the U.S. but also abroad, where Palestinians have felt its oppressive impact. As this technology is already being deployed in harmful ways, the stakes for privacy and liberty have never been higher.
Palantir: The Machinery of Surveillance
Palantir Technologies specializes in big data analytics, offering tools like Gotham and Foundry that can sift through vast troves of information to uncover patterns and connections. Initially known for aiding military and intelligence operations, the company’s role expanded significantly under Trump. Since 2017, Palantir has secured over $113 million in federal contracts, with a potential $795 million deal with the Department of Defense on the horizon. Its software integrates data from agencies like Homeland Security, the IRS, and Social Security, creating a comprehensive view of citizens’ lives—from tax records to medical histories.
This isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about control. Palantir’s close relationship with the Trump administration, bolstered by Thiel’s financial and ideological support for Trump, has fueled fears that its technology could be weaponized to serve political ends. For a nation founded on principles of liberty, the idea of a private company enabling such oversight is deeply unsettling.
A Surveillance State in the Making
The Trump administration has pursued an ambitious goal: a centralized database amalgamating personal data from across the federal government. With Palantir’s help, this system could include bank account details, immigration records, healthcare information, and more—all linked and searchable. Proponents claim it’s a tool to combat fraud or enhance security, but the reality is far more alarming. This infrastructure mirrors the panopticon of Orwell’s 1984, where constant surveillance ensures compliance through fear.
Reports from outlets like The New York Times have highlighted the scope of this effort, warning of a surveillance state that could track citizens’ every move. The potential for abuse is staggering: imagine a government using this system to target political opponents, activists, or entire communities based on their data profiles. Once built, this machinery could be repurposed at will, transforming a democratic tool into an authoritarian weapon.
Infringement of Rights: Eroding the Constitution
The Fourth Amendment protects Americans from unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring probable cause for government intrusion. Yet, the mass collection of personal data—without consent or oversight—challenges this bedrock principle. If the government can compile detailed dossiers on millions of people without their knowledge, isn’t that an unconstitutional search? The risk of discrimination is real: algorithms could flag individuals for scrutiny based on race, religion, or political activity, violating equal protection under the law.
The First Amendment is also at risk. Surveillance stifles free speech and association by creating a climate of fear. When citizens know they’re being watched, they’re less likely to voice dissent or join protests, wary of being labeled threats. Trump’s administration has already used social media monitoring to track critics, a practice that Palantir’s tools could amplify. As the ACLU has warned, this could lead to a “panopticon of a single federal database” containing everything the government knows about every individual—a direct assault on the rights that define a free society.
Restriction of Freedom
Mass surveillance doesn’t just invade privacy—it reshapes behavior. The knowledge that every action could be monitored leads to self-censorship, a phenomenon known as the “chilling effect.” Protesters might skip rallies, journalists might soften critiques, and citizens might avoid controversial topics altogether, fearing retribution. This erosion of freedom undermines democracy itself, replacing open discourse with conformity.
Trump’s track record—targeting immigrants, whistleblowers, and dissenters—only heightens these concerns. On X, one user lamented, “A massive surveillance state that can be used against American citizens to build a social credit score that violates Constitutional privacy rights is not what I voted for.” With Palantir’s technology, this dystopian vision could become reality, turning the U.S. into a nation where liberty is sacrificed for control.
Voices of Doubt and Defiance
Skepticism about this surveillance push isn’t fringe—it’s widespread. Former Palantir employees have publicly criticized the company, arguing that its work with Trump “normalizes authoritarianism under the guise of a ‘revolution’ led by oligarchs.” These insiders, once part of Palantir’s mission, now see it as a betrayal of democratic values. The ACLU has echoed this alarm, cautioning against a system that could obliterate privacy.
Even some Trump supporters have turned against the initiative, fearing it could boomerang on them. On X, a user dubbed it “Big Brother on steroids,” reflecting a growing unease that transcends political lines. This chorus of voices underscores a shared dread: that the tools being built today could haunt us tomorrow.
The Counterarguments
Defenders of the Trump-Palantir partnership argue it’s a practical step to streamline government operations and curb fraud. They insist the data isn’t new—agencies already hold it—and Palantir simply makes it more accessible. An X user, @basedperiod, claimed it’s about “linking existing government data for efficiency and fraud prevention, not collecting new data.” Palantir itself has deflected responsibility, saying its clients dictate how the technology is used.
But these defenses crumble under scrutiny. Tools designed for efficiency can easily be repurposed for oppression—history is littered with examples. The lack of transparency and public consent only deepens the mistrust. If the system is so harmless, why shroud it in secrecy? Critics argue that the infrastructure itself is the threat, a loaded weapon waiting for an opportunistic hand.
Already in Use: Surveillance on Americans
Palantir’s technology is no longer theoretical—it’s actively harming Americans. In predictive policing, law enforcement uses Palantir’s software to analyze data and forecast crime hotspots. While pitched as innovative, it has led to over-policing in minority neighborhoods. In Los Angeles, the LAPD’s use of these tools has been slammed for targeting low-income and Black and Latino communities, resulting in heightened surveillance and harassment of innocent people.
Palantir has also powered ICE’s immigration crackdowns, providing tools to track and deport undocumented immigrants. This has raised fears of mass deportations driven by biased data, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. Additionally, the company’s software has monitored social media, enabling the government to surveil dissent and activism—further proof that this technology is already curbing freedoms.
Already in Use: Oppression of Palestinians
Beyond U.S. borders, Palantir’s technology has been deployed against Palestinians with devastating effect. The company has contracts with the Israeli government, supplying analytics tools for military and intelligence operations. In the West Bank and Gaza, these systems have tracked and monitored Palestinians, often leading to arbitrary arrests and detentions.
In Gaza, Palantir’s technology has been linked to Israel’s targeting systems, criticized for their role in airstrikes that kill civilians. During the 2021 conflict, such strikes—guided by advanced surveillance—leveled residential buildings, killing dozens, including children. Human rights groups have decried these actions, arguing that the technology fails to differentiate between combatants and innocents. Palantir’s tools have also enforced Gaza’s blockade, restricting goods and movement, worsening a humanitarian crisis. This use of surveillance to oppress an entire population has drawn global condemnation.
Ethical Questions and the Call for Accountability
The use of Palantir’s technology in these contexts raises profound ethical dilemmas. Who bears responsibility for wrongful arrests, privacy breaches, or civilian deaths? How can we tolerate systems that target specific groups—whether minorities in America or Palestinians abroad—with such impunity? The algorithms driving these tools often carry biases, amplifying injustice under a veneer of objectivity.
Without transparency or oversight, these ethical lapses will only grow. The rapid advancement of surveillance technology outpaces our ability to regulate it, leaving us vulnerable to its unchecked expansion. If we don’t act, this could become a permanent feature of our world, sacrificing rights for a false sense of security.
A Fight for Freedom
The Trump-Palantir partnership is a watershed moment, threatening to usher in a surveillance state that undermines the very essence of American liberty. At home, it risks turning citizens into subjects, watched and judged by an unaccountable system. Abroad, it aids in the oppression of Palestinians, staining our moral standing. The warnings from insiders, advocates, and ordinary people are clear: we’re on the brink of a dystopia where Big Brother reigns.
This isn’t just about one administration or company—it’s about the future. Once this surveillance apparatus is in place, it’s unlikely to be undone. Future leaders could wield it to crush dissent or enforce conformity. We must demand accountability, reject hollow assurances, and defend the rights that define us. If we fail, the shadow of surveillance will darken our nation—and the world—beyond repair.