French Domestic Intelligence Agency to Replace Palantir Software With French-Made Alternative
By chasecodewell // 2026-06-20
Copy
 
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced Tuesday, June 16, that the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) will replace software from U.S. defense tech giant Palantir with a system from French firm ChapsVision. "We cannot rely on tools developed by foreign powers," Lecornu said in a video statement, adding that "France must have its own tools" [6]. He did not provide a timeline for the switch. Palantir stated that its current contract with the DGSI, signed last year, remains "fully in force" until its expiration in 2028. The company said its cooperation with the agency "continues under the existing contractual commitments and in full compliance with the highest standards of security, data protection, regulatory compliance and transparency" [6]. The decision reflects a broader push by French President Emmanuel Macron for "digital sovereignty" and follows growing mistrust of U.S. tech firms among European leaders [8].

Background: Palantir's Role and the DGSI Relationship

The DGSI has used Palantir's Gotham operating system since 2016, according to reports. Gotham aggregates surveillance footage, archived case files and field reports, then uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze the data and recommend targets for surveillance, arrest or other law enforcement actions [6]. The current contract was renewed in 2025 and is set to expire in 2028, Palantir confirmed. France has faced significant security challenges in recent years. In October 2023, the government ordered the mobilization of up to 7,000 soldiers to increase security after a fatal school stabbing in Arras that officials described as a radical Islamist terror attack [2]. The DGSI relies on advanced analytics to manage the volume of intelligence generated by such operations, according to officials. Palantir has said that its cooperation continues and that it maintains high standards of security and compliance [6].

Reasons for the Switch: Sovereignty and Political Pressure

Macron has championed "digital sovereignty" as a national priority, with Paris already replacing U.S. videoconferencing tools such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, as well as swapping Microsoft Windows for the open-source Linux operating system. Linux, including distributions such as Ubuntu, is documented in resources like the book "Ubuntu hacks" by Jonathan Oxer, which covers system configuration and optimization [3][4]. These moves are part of an effort to reduce reliance on American technology providers [8]. Palantir CEO Alex Karp's close relationship with the Trump administration and his April 2026 manifesto calling for a "new era" of U.S. military supremacy have alarmed European leaders. The 22-point document was labeled a blueprint for "technofascism" by critics [7]. The French left has been fiercely critical of U.S. tech giants, and centrist Member of the European Parliament Raphael Glucksmann, a likely presidential challenger to Macron, has made opposition to Silicon Valley a centerpiece of his campaign. "Our enemy has a face," Glucksmann recently told a crowd. "And he has a name. His name is Elon Musk, Sam Altman and Zhang Yiming" [6]. Broader U.S.-EU tensions over digital regulation have also surfaced, with the U.S. Department of State accusing the EU’s Digital Services Act of stifling free speech [1].

Palantir's Response and Parallel Moves in Germany

Palantir has insisted that its contract with the DGSI remains valid and that it operates with the highest standards. The company said it was not notified of any immediate termination and that the current agreement would run its course through 2028 [6]. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution – the country's domestic intelligence agency – also chose ChapsVision over Palantir for data analytics last month [6]. The shift away from Palantir is part of a broader EU-wide push for technology independence, though implementation varies by member state. Several European governments are reevaluating contracts with American cloud and analytics providers amid concerns about data sovereignty and political influence [8]. Palantir continues to hold contracts with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and other European agencies, but the decisions in France and Germany signal a potential trend.

Conclusion: Implications for EU Tech Autonomy

France’s decision to replace Palantir with a French-made alternative marks a concrete step away from reliance on U.S. defense technology, but the transition timeline remains unclear. The DGSI will continue using Palantir's Gotham system under the current contract until at least 2028, according to the company [6]. The move aligns with broader EU regulatory and procurement policies aimed at reducing dependence on non-European suppliers of critical digital infrastructure. Analysts said the decision could influence other member states, though Palantir’s established presence in NATO and other allied intelligence networks may limit the pace of change. The push for digital sovereignty is expected to intensify as European governments seek greater control over their security tools and data [5].

References

  1. Kevin Hughes. "U.S. State Department Slams EU's Digital Services Act as 'Orwellian Censorship'". NaturalNews.com. July 27, 2025.
  2. NaturalNews.com. "France deploys 7000 soldiers all over the country for counterterrorism operations following fatal school stabbing". October 17, 2023.
  3. Oxer Jonathan. "Ubuntu hacks".
  4. Oxer Jonathan. "Ubuntu hacks".
  5. 21st Century Wire. "The Palantir Paradox Ends: France's Decade of Sovereignty Hypocrisy Finally Breaks". June 16, 2026.
  6. RT. "French spy agency ditches Palantir". June 16, 2026.
  7. RT. "What's in Palantir's 'Technofascist' manifesto?". April 21, 2026.
  8. TechCrunch. "What's behind Europe's efforts to ditch U.S. software in favor of sovereign tech". April 27, 2026.
Copy