State Department hires Palantir for new program on online free speech and surveillance countermeasures

The State Department has added Palantir to its Freedom Tech Excellence Program, tasking the firm with advising on digital expression, privacy tools and counter-surveillance through temporary assignments.

The Trump administration’s State Department announced that Palantir will join its Freedom Tech Excellence Program, providing short-term expertise on digital freedom, privacy-enhancing tech, counter-surveillance and AI governance. The program, which will continue through early 2029, also includes defense-tech firm Anduril, whose executive chair is linked to Thiel’s Founders Fund. Palantir, known for large-scale data platforms and contracts with agencies such as the military, ICE and the IRS, has faced criticism for its role in mass-surveillance projects and legal actions against journalists.

Knight First Amendment Institute senior staff attorney Carrie DeCell described the partnership as “doublespeak,” questioning the credibility of the listed partners. The State Department emphasized that the initiative is intended to bolster diplomatic efforts on online expression rather than expand internal AI capabilities. Neither Palantir nor Anduril responded to interview requests.