El Ciudadano
Original article: ¿Qué oculta Kast con Palantir en Chile? La compañía de tecnología militar acusada de vigilancia masiva, espionaje, crímenes y masacres
Kast’s Secret Agenda with Palantir? The Military-Linked AI Company Tied to Massacres and Global Espionage
President José Antonio Kast held a meeting at La Moneda Palace with Peter Thiel, co-founder of Palantir Technologies and PayPal. The government described the meeting as «brief and ceremonial,» but declined to provide details, citing the inviolability of private communications and claiming the President is not subject to the Lobbying Law.
The secrecy surrounding the meeting sparked intense political debate, with criticism from various sectors warning against the risks of adopting mass surveillance technology without public oversight.
What is Palantir and Why is it So Controversial?
Founded in 2003 and based in Denver, Colorado, Palantir Technologies is a software company specializing in Big Data analysis and artificial intelligence. Its name derives from the «seeing stones» in the The Lord of the Rings saga, magical objects capable of observing events from afar.
Among its flagship platforms—Gotham, Foundry, and Apollo—these tools are primarily utilized by intelligence agencies, military forces, and large corporations. The company has faced significant international criticism for providing technology used in monitoring systems for immigration control, border surveillance, and military operations, as documented by the BBC.
Some of the most controversial operational uses of Palantir include its involvement in military intelligence and defense, with AI systems used by the U.S. Department of Defense and allies for logistics and battlefield operations; surveillance and immigration control, where agencies like ICE in the U.S. employ its technology to identify and track individuals by centralizing medical, financial, and social media records; and in the corporate and financial sectors, with companies like Airbus and various global banks. The company has been linked to ethical controversies due to its role in technological warfare and mass surveillance.
Additionally, Palantir Technologies provides AI software and data analysis capabilities used by the Israeli military to select military targets and optimize its operations in Gaza. This technology has sparked significant international controversy, as human rights organizations argue that these systems automate life-or-death decisions, contributing to the massacre of civilians.
Reactions in Chile and Interest in Mining
Various political sectors and organizations have voiced their concerns regarding the secrecy of the meeting. Deputy Gonzalo Winter was one of the legislators who questioned the gathering, demanding transparency regarding the topics discussed.
«They say it was merely a ceremonial meeting, and that only discussions about artificial intelligence and its implications for states took place. We must remember that this is a conversation between a Head of State and a tech mogul involved in contracts with the government for armaments, surveillance, and related matters,» Winter remarked, further noting: «They also tell us that they cannot provide information on what was discussed because there is no record, but if there was, it would also not be given as it could fall under the article that mandates certain communications are confidential, citing national security and interest.»
During his visit to the country, Thiel also held private meetings with other political figures, such as the leader of the libertarian national party, Johannes Kaiser, reportedly expressing interest in investing in mining, according to national media.
Concerns focus on the possibility that the Chilean government may incorporate mass surveillance technology without public debate or democratic oversight.
The FA deputy described it as «rather concerning that President Kast opts to keep the discussions from that meeting secret, which is why we will notify all ministries to ask whether they have also had meetings with Peter Thiel or with Palantir.»
A History of International Criticism
Palantir’s history is marked by its close ties to espionage agencies and its role in controlling sensitive information, generating intense global debate about mass surveillance, privacy, and ethics in technological warfare.
Human rights organizations have reported that their technology has been utilized in contexts involving mass deportations and military operations with severe humanitarian consequences.
«It is extremely concerning that the U.S. government is deploying invasive AI-driven technologies in the context of a massive deportation and repression agenda against pro-Palestinian expressions, leading to numerous human rights violations. These technologies allow authorities to quickly track and target international students and other marginalized migrant groups on an unprecedented scale. This situation has resulted in patterns of illegal detentions and mass deportations, creating a climate of fear and exacerbating the ‘deterrent effect’ for migrant communities and international students in schools and universities,» stated Erika Guevara Rosas, Director General of Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns at Amnesty International, in August 2025 in relation to Palantir in that country.
The enduring public question remains: What hidden agenda does Kast have with Palantir in Chile?
See also / The Power of Palantir: How Dangerous is this Cyber Surveillance Company?
La entrada What is Kast Hiding with Palantir in Chile? The Military Tech Firm Accused of Mass Surveillance, Espionage, and Human Rights Violations se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.
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