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How could Palantir software even accomplish what was claimed in the above links? I don't see how data visualization software can be used to crush wikileaks in

How could Palantir software even accomplish what was claimed in the above links? I don't see how data visualization software can be used to crush wikileaks in the manner that the article says.

rhizome 15y ago
Anything's possible in the world of government contracting.
- jchonphoenix 15y ago
  From the above article "We do not provide – nor do we have any plans to develop – offensive cyber capabilities. Palantir Technologies does not build software that is designed to allow private sector entities to obtain non-public information, engage in so-called “cyber attacks” or take other offensive measures." This is a true statement.
  - natch 15y ago
    A true statement that looks carefully crafted to have huge loopholes. Loophole 1: apparently they're OK with building software that is designed to allow public sector entities (bad governments) to obtain non-public information. Loophole 2: I guess they're OK with building software that is designed to allow private sector entities to obtain public information [and... the part left unsaid: distill it to create insights not readily noticeable by others with access to the same public information, thus giving these private sector entities overwhelming advantages in things like figuring out how to manipulate politicians]. That stuff, from reading the quote, I am left believing they are OK with. Which means the statement just comes off as PR-speak, and disingenuous.
    - joshma 15y ago
      Loophole 2 is called a product - what's wrong with being able to analyze public information? It's true that Palantir's software can enable wrong doing, but at that point you might as well blame computer manufacturers for building machines to run the software. This isn't a legal document, it's a press statement. Go look for conspiracies elsewhere.
  - rhizome 15y ago
    We do not provide – nor do we have any plans to develop So, not right this second and, so far, not in the future. That leaves out a lot of time!
nivals 15y ago
I spent two years working on this problem as my masters thesis. It's possible, not trivial.
- jchonphoenix 15y ago
  Which part? Data visualization or data visualization to crush wikileaks through defamation and ddos? Can you elaborate? I'm just having a really time seeing how "Palantir was going to destroy wikileaks" which is what everyone says, but if you read the documents that were exposed, this doesn't really seem to be implied. Additionally, the type of software Palantir makes couldn't really be used to destroy wikileaks in the ways claimed. Yes, Palantir is a government contractor, but that doesn't mean they do evil things. You don't call google evil because HBGary uses google search. In the same way, I don't see how you can call Palantir evil for making a data visualization platform.
  - nivals 15y ago
    I'm looking at data visualization to prevent corporate espionage. In reality it's data theft that brought Wikileaks in to the public consciousness. I think that most people forget/aren't aware that the data was actually stolen by a 22 year old private. In fact, he goes in front of the court tomorrow: http://bit.ly/viXkwq http://bit.ly/viXkwq When I say 'prevent Wikileaks' via data visualization I'm referring to preventing corporate espionage and data leaks, not destroy the Wikileaks organization itself. It's more of an easy way to explain it to people: Them: 'Hey what's your thesis on?' Me: 'Preventing Wikileaks' Them: 'Oh, cool' confused expression
jchonphoenix 15y ago
Additionally, this comment shouldn't be downvoted. I realize that people like to hate on Palantir, but I'm asking a legitimate question. And up to this point, nobody has given me a good answer. Those of us that have been on HN for awhile know that you don't downvote things just because you disagree with them. This comment is really constructive and I'm disappointed that people are instinctively downvoting it because it can be construed as supporting a company they're biased against.

How could Palantir software even accomplish what was claimed in the above links? I don't see how data visualization software can be used to crush wikileaks in the manner that the article says.

rhizome 15y ago

Anything's possible in the world of government contracting.

jchonphoenix 15y ago
From the above article "We do not provide – nor do we have any plans to develop – offensive cyber capabilities. Palantir Technologies does not build software that is designed to allow private sector entities to obtain non-public information, engage in so-called “cyber attacks” or take other offensive measures." This is a true statement.
- natch 15y ago
  A true statement that looks carefully crafted to have huge loopholes. Loophole 1: apparently they're OK with building software that is designed to allow public sector entities (bad governments) to obtain non-public information. Loophole 2: I guess they're OK with building software that is designed to allow private sector entities to obtain public information [and... the part left unsaid: distill it to create insights not readily noticeable by others with access to the same public information, thus giving these private sector entities overwhelming advantages in things like figuring out how to manipulate politicians]. That stuff, from reading the quote, I am left believing they are OK with. Which means the statement just comes off as PR-speak, and disingenuous.
  - joshma 15y ago
    Loophole 2 is called a product - what's wrong with being able to analyze public information? It's true that Palantir's software can enable wrong doing, but at that point you might as well blame computer manufacturers for building machines to run the software. This isn't a legal document, it's a press statement. Go look for conspiracies elsewhere.
- rhizome 15y ago
  We do not provide – nor do we have any plans to develop So, not right this second and, so far, not in the future. That leaves out a lot of time!

nivals 15y ago

I spent two years working on this problem as my masters thesis. It's possible, not trivial.

jchonphoenix 15y ago
Which part? Data visualization or data visualization to crush wikileaks through defamation and ddos? Can you elaborate? I'm just having a really time seeing how "Palantir was going to destroy wikileaks" which is what everyone says, but if you read the documents that were exposed, this doesn't really seem to be implied. Additionally, the type of software Palantir makes couldn't really be used to destroy wikileaks in the ways claimed. Yes, Palantir is a government contractor, but that doesn't mean they do evil things. You don't call google evil because HBGary uses google search. In the same way, I don't see how you can call Palantir evil for making a data visualization platform.
- nivals 15y ago
  I'm looking at data visualization to prevent corporate espionage. In reality it's data theft that brought Wikileaks in to the public consciousness. I think that most people forget/aren't aware that the data was actually stolen by a 22 year old private. In fact, he goes in front of the court tomorrow: http://bit.ly/viXkwq http://bit.ly/viXkwq When I say 'prevent Wikileaks' via data visualization I'm referring to preventing corporate espionage and data leaks, not destroy the Wikileaks organization itself. It's more of an easy way to explain it to people: Them: 'Hey what's your thesis on?' Me: 'Preventing Wikileaks' Them: 'Oh, cool' confused expression

jchonphoenix 15y ago

Additionally, this comment shouldn't be downvoted. I realize that people like to hate on Palantir, but I'm asking a legitimate question. And up to this point, nobody has given me a good answer. Those of us that have been on HN for awhile know that you don't downvote things just because you disagree with them. This comment is really constructive and I'm disappointed that people are instinctively downvoting it because it can be construed as supporting a company they're biased against.