The Wet Dream of All Dictatorships

The German state of Baden-Württemberg has quietly acquired controversial surveillance software from Palantir, the US firm co-founded by Peter Thiel. Despite public opposition from the Greens, the €25 million deal went ahead without parliamentary approval. Officials justified the purchase as a tool to fight child abuse and online hate speech.

The contract for Palantir’s Gotham software was signed in March 2024 by Interior Minister Thomas Strobl of the CDU-led government. The Greens, who have long criticised Palantir’s data practices, now face scrutiny after backing the deal while claiming to reject the company’s technology.

At the same time, the federal government has approved new rules allowing IP addresses to be stored for up to three months. This move has drawn criticism from the FDP and parts of the Greens, who warn of growing internet surveillance. Yet Green Party member Cem Özdemir recently called for expanding AI-driven monitoring in Baden-Württemberg.

The shift comes as Germany tightens controls on online speech. While the government frames these measures as necessary for public safety, critics argue they erode free expression—with support from some on the political left.

The €25 million purchase of Palantir’s software is now in place, despite earlier objections from the Greens. Combined with extended IP storage rules, the changes mark a clear expansion of digital surveillance. Authorities insist the tools will target serious crimes, but concerns over privacy and oversight remain.