The Dutch police have been using the controversial Palantir software for years

Since 2011, the Dutch police have been using the software of the American company Palantir – revealed the daily de Volkskrant, citing documents obtained on the basis of the Act on access to public information (WOO). The then Police General Director was involved in the purchase of the system, and the current prime minister in the resignation of Dick Schoof.

Palantir is a company known for advanced tools for analyzing large data sets. Her systems combine information from various sources – from the bottom and financial data to monitoring – and create suspicious profiles. The software was used, among others to fight crime and terrorism, but also, which raises the greatest controversy, to bet on goals for the Israeli army or immigrants in the policy of Donald Trump's government.

According to “De Volkskrant” Dutch institutions – police, prosecutor's office and terrorism coordinator (NCTV) – have refused to confirm cooperation for years. Only court judgments forced them to disclose some of the documents. As much as 99 percent of over 20 files regarding 2012–2019 The content has been blurred. The few fragments show that the contracts with Palantir were renewed every few years, and the project was implemented under the code name “Rafffinaderij” (background refinery).

Security experts warn that the integration of huge citizens' databases can lead to abuse and serious threats to privacy. “We are dealing with almost uncontrolled activities of services against which citizens have practically no defense,” said prof. Bob de Graaff from the University of Utrecht.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed that Palantir is still used, at the same time emphasizing that only police officers have access to data and that the goal is to fight serious crime and terrorism.

From Hagi Patryk Kulpok (PAP)

PMK/ MMS/