Palantir repeatedly rebuffed by Swiss government over data and security concerns
Feb 22nd 2026
Freedom of Information documents show Palantir spent seven years courting Swiss federal offices and the army but was turned down repeatedly over legal, reputational and data sovereignty fears, and the army abandoned plans after a report warned US intelligence could access sensitive data.
- Documents obtained under FOI show Palantir pursued Swiss federal agencies and senior officials from 2018 to 2024, including pandemic offers and Davos meetings.
- Federal offices issued at least nine formal rejections, citing no operational need or risks to communication and reputation.
- The Federal Office of Public Health and the Money Laundering Reporting Office declined cooperation because Palantir was deemed too sensitive or lacked a legal basis for data use.
- Armasuisse invited a bid for the Army Intelligence IT system but says Palantir did not meet a mandatory tender requirement and no contract was awarded.
- A December 2024 Swiss Army report praised Palantir's performance but concluded that use would risk loss of data sovereignty and possible access by US intelligence, leading the army to drop the project.