“Our product is used on occasion to kill people” — Palantir’s past comes back as the stock soars

Comments made years ago by Palantir (PLTR) CEO Alex Karp have resurfaced in recent weeks, renewing debate over the company’s role in military, intelligence, and law-enforcement operations.

“Our product is used on occasion to kill people,” Karp said in a 2020 interview with HBO, referring to Palantir’s work with government and defense agencies.

In other public comments, Karp has said the company’s technology is designed to help government partners “scare enemies and, on occasion, kill them.”

Karp clarified that he was referring specifically to the use of Palantir’s software in counterterrorism operations, including drone targeting of militant groups.

Still, critics argue that such statements underscore broader concerns about how the company’s tools could be used beyond the battlefield.

Those concerns have been amplified by recent controversy involving Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, who faced criticism after appearing to endorse a post on X that called for violence against communists.

Although Lonsdale left Palantir 16 years ago, he remains a significant shareholder of the company.

“Are all the shareholders happy with that?” said Andrew Bridgen, a former U.K. Member of Parliament, referring to Karp’s past remarks about the lethal use of Palantir’s technology that have gone viral this week.

A familiar debate for Palantir

Palantir’s core business has long been built around large-scale government contracts, particularly with U.S. defense, intelligence, and law-enforcement agencies.

While those contracts are legal and widely disclosed, civil liberties organizations have long warned that the normalization of advanced data analytics in policing and national security could expand surveillance in ways that outpace democratic oversight.

While this isn’t a problem in itself, civil liberty organizations have long warned that the relationship could normalize surveillance.

In August, NPR reported that at least 13 Palantir employees had resigned or spoken out over ethical concerns, including fears that the company’s technology could contribute to surveillance or authoritarian practices.

Civil liberties advocate Jason Bassler later cited the report as evidence of internal unease about Palantir’s role in government operations.

Palantir has repeatedly defended its work, arguing that its software is used responsibly by democratic governments and plays a critical role in national security.

Still, the resurfacing of Alex Karp’s remarks highlights the ongoing tension between Palantir’s commercial success and the ethical debates surrounding its technology.

That tension is being faced head-on by Palantir shareholders, who have seen outsized gains from the stock in recent years.

Palantir shares are up more than 160% over the past year, pushing the company’s market capitalization above $420 billion.