As a former Member of Congress, I worry that some Democrats have started treating any relationship between government and national security technology companies as something to be ashamed of, rather than something that must be carefully overseen and responsibly managed.
In recent months, activist groups have stepped up their campaigns against Palantir and other firms that provide data analytics tools, artificial intelligence, and other types of technology needed by the military, intelligence community, law enforcement, hospitals, and disaster relief management teams to assess threats and coordinate operations.
While the Purge Palantir campaign initiated by the American Friends Service Committee raises legitimate policy concerns, it is increasingly taking the form of a call for a public separation from the entire class of technology and defense-related companies.
Some have demanded that lawmakers cut ties with the companies altogether. They absolutely raise some legitimate concerns regarding government surveillance, its relationship with defense companies, and immigration — all of which deserve scrutiny. My worry is regarding their calls for a public separation from the entire class of technology and defense-related companies.
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