Behind the Money Palantir’s relentless rise
24 snips
Aug 20, 2025 
In this discussion, Tabby Kinder, an FT finance reporter specializing in technology and finance, breaks down Palantir's remarkable stock market ascent. She examines how a shift in Silicon Valley attitudes towards defense has fueled the company’s growth, tying its success to increased government spending on national security and space exploration. Kinder also delves into the ethical concerns surrounding Palantir's operations and the impact of its close ties with the U.S. government, all while questioning its soaring valuation.
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Origins Rooted In National Security
- Palantir was founded after 9/11 to strengthen national security by applying private-sector tech to intelligence problems.
- Its founders argued Silicon Valley should mirror wartime public-private efforts to protect the country.
Opaque Yet Powerful Data Platform
- Palantir's software ingests vast datasets to surface patterns for military, health and commercial uses.
- The platform's opaque nature makes its capabilities powerful but also hard for outsiders to scrutinize.
Protests Over Health And Military Work
- Palantir faced UK protests over access to NHS records and broader privacy concerns when working in healthcare and immigration.
- Activists also targeted Palantir for contracts tied to the Israel Armed Forces, linking it to protests about Gaza.