Finnish police, customs, and border guard secretly use controversial Palantir technology

Finnish police, customs, and the border guard have for years used data analysis tools developed by the US firm Palantir, public broadcaster Yle reported Tuesday.

The agencies have deployed Palantir’s AI-driven software—known for applications in law enforcement and military operations—since at least 2013, according to Yle’s findings. Critics argue the technology enables mass surveillance and has been linked to human rights violations.

Finnish authorities have refused to disclose how the technology is used in the country.

The border guard confirmed to Yle that it uses a Palantir-based system, renamed Atrain in 2024, for crime prevention and analytical work. Since 2013, the agency has spent over €300,000 on the system.

The National Police Board acknowledged Palantir’s use but declined to specify its applications. Customs neither confirmed nor denied its deployment, though Yle’s reporting indicates the agency has also used the technology.

It remains unclear what Finnish citizen data has been processed through Palantir or what decisions have been made using its tools.

Founded in 2003 by PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, Palantir initially developed fraud-detection systems before pivoting to counterterrorism. The CIA was among its early investors. Today, the company’s software is used by Western governments and corporations, with its market value surging tenfold since 2023 amid the AI boom.

Palantir’s reputation stems from its clients and applications. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) uses its Elite platform to identify deportation targets, accessing health and tax records. Critics highlight inaccuracies in AI-driven enforcement, including cases where lawful residents without criminal records were detained.

Police in Germany, Denmark, and the US have employed Palantir for predictive policing—targeting areas based on historical crime data—a practice studies show can reinforce statistical biases.