Uncanny Valley | WIRED Palantir: The Most Mysterious Company in Silicon Valley
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Aug 14, 2025 Caroline Haskins, a staff writer at Wired, dives into the enigmatic world of Palantir Technologies. She unpacks this controversial company's operations, often misunderstood as merely a data broker. Discover why Palantir's ties to government entities like the CIA and its military contracts create both fascination and scrutiny. Haskins sheds light on the internal culture that shapes its identity and explores its rising market valuation amid public criticism. Tune in for a revealing look at one of Silicon Valley's most mysterious players.
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Platform Over Data Sales
- Palantir isn't a data broker or seller; it provides tools and infrastructure for customers to work with their own data.
- The company packages customizable platforms that sit on top of existing systems to surface insights without selling raw data.
Foundry And Gotham Roles
- Palantir's two flagship products are Foundry for enterprises and Gotham for government and law enforcement use cases.
- Foundry integrates legacy systems while Gotham helps agencies map relationships and analyze case data without providing the raw sources.
Power Of Aggregation
- Even when Palantir doesn't supply data, its tools can aggregate and transform vast datasets, raising surveillance concerns.
- Large-scale deployments of such platforms amplify public worry because the company often keeps contract details confidential.
