France's domestic intelligence agency, the DGSI, will stop using software from U.S.-based Palantir and replace it with a French-owned company [1, 2].
The move signals a strategic pivot by Paris to reduce reliance on foreign technology for national security. By shifting to a domestic provider, France aims to eliminate risks associated with foreign surveillance and secure its critical data infrastructure.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the decision on Tuesday, June 16 [1, 2, 3]. He said that the government seeks to establish a more independent technological framework for the state's security apparatus.
"We cannot rely on American software that could be used for surveillance," Lecornu said [1].
The transition is part of a broader initiative to achieve what Lecornu described as "genuine digital and AI autonomy for France" [2]. This policy shift emphasizes the need for the European nation to control its own algorithmic tools, and data processing capabilities without external interference.
Beyond the intelligence community, the French government is expanding its internal technological capabilities. Lecornu said the government will invest €655 million [3] in artificial intelligence. This funding will also support the creation of a common chatbot designed for use across all state services [3].
The decision to move away from Palantir follows growing concerns within the European Union regarding the influence of U.S. tech giants over sovereign data. By prioritizing local vendors, France intends to foster a domestic AI ecosystem that can compete globally while maintaining strict national oversight [1, 2].
“"We cannot rely on American software that could be used for surveillance."”
This shift represents a move toward 'digital sovereignty,' a policy goal where nations seek to minimize dependence on foreign technology to protect national security. By replacing a U.S. contractor with a domestic firm and investing heavily in state-run AI, France is attempting to insulate its intelligence operations from the legal reach and surveillance capabilities of the United States government.
