French spies to stop using Palantir over US surveillance fears

France has announced plans to stop using software from US data analytics company Palantir, citing concerns over reliance on foreign technology and the need for greater digital sovereignty.

The decision affects France’s domestic intelligence agency, the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI), which has relied on Palantir’s data-analysis tools since the 2015 terrorist attacks to help process and analyse large volumes of intelligence data.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the country could no longer tolerate “strategic dependencies” in the digital sector, warning that access to critical technologies could be restricted by foreign partners. According to him, France must ensure it does not depend on the goodwill of countries capable of cutting off access to key artificial intelligence and digital services.

The move follows a recent decision by US authorities to restrict access to some advanced AI models for certain foreign users on national security grounds, a development that reportedly raised concerns among European governments about their dependence on American technology providers.

Former French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal described the situation as the beginning of an “AI war”, while former Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau called it a wake-up call, warning that countries reliant on foreign AI systems could be left vulnerable.

The decision also comes amid growing scrutiny of Palantir across Europe. In the United Kingdom, lawmakers have urged the government to review contracts with the company, while London Mayor Sadiq Khan previously blocked a proposed contract involving the Metropolitan Police over concerns related to procurement, ethics and reputational issues.

Palantir, co-founded by billionaire entrepreneur Peter Thiel with early backing from the CIA, provides software that helps governments and organisations analyse large datasets. The company maintains that clients retain full control of their information and that its tools are designed to improve decision-making and operational efficiency.

Despite renewing its Palantir contract last year after acknowledging that local alternatives had not yet met technical requirements, French authorities now appear committed to transitioning to domestic solutions. French technology firm ChapsVision has been identified as the most likely replacement for Palantir’s services within the country’s intelligence infrastructure.

The announcement aligns with President Emmanuel Macron’s broader push to position France as a leading artificial intelligence hub in Europe. The French government is investing heavily in AI development, data centres and homegrown technology companies as part of efforts to reduce dependence on American and Chinese technology giants.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also advocated greater European technological independence, arguing that Europe should develop its own AI capabilities, infrastructure and digital ecosystem rather than rely heavily on foreign providers.

France is currently promoting domestic AI company Mistral as a European competitor to major American firms and plans to deploy its AI assistant across parts of the French public sector as part of its wider digital sovereignty strategy.