Vance’s Ties to Palantir Draw Scrutiny as concerns Over Data Privacy Grow Within GOP
WASHINGTON – Vice President J.D. Vance’s past role as an investor and board member at Palantir Technologies is facing renewed scrutiny as conservative anxieties about Big Tech’s influence and data privacy intensify within the Republican party. While Vance has publicly expressed concerns about the power of technology companies, his continued connection to the data analytics firm – a major government contractor – is raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and the sincerity of his critique.
Vance’s relationship with Palantir dates back to 2019, when he took a stake in the company and joined its board. Palantir,co-founded by Peter Thiel,has contracts with numerous federal agencies,including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Defense,sparking controversy over its role in data collection and surveillance. As the GOP increasingly voices skepticism about Big Tech’s reach, Vance’s past and present ties to Palantir are becoming a focal point.
the scrutiny comes as conservative figures grapple with the implications of artificial intelligence and data security. Steve Bannon, a former advisor to Donald Trump, has publicly criticized Elon Musk and questioned Trump’s relationship with Silicon Valley. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has highlighted the energy consumption of data centers, and Senator Josh Hawley has launched investigations into potential harms caused by AI chatbots to children. Despite these growing concerns, a spokesperson for Vance has not responded to inquiries regarding how he has addressed privacy issues within the administration.
notably, since taking office, former President Trump signed 213 executive orders without emphasizing data protections for consumers, and recently voiced support for blocking state regulations on AI companies. This stance contrasts with the rising conservative unease regarding Big Tech’s influence.
Even as skepticism grows on the right, Vance’s standing within Silicon Valley remains an asset.Palantir CEO Alex Karp recently described a potential successor to Trump as someone who would secure the border, uphold conservative values, and “credibly fight for workers,” a description Axios’ Mike Allen noted closely resembled Vance.
