Part 6/7:
One of the most striking examples Kiriakou discusses is the rise of Palantir, a tech company that became a major software provider for both the CIA and the Pentagon. Initially struggling, the company saw its fortunes change dramatically with the CIA's investment, resulting in its software revolutionizing how intelligence agencies communicated and processed classified information.
Kiriakou’s recounting serves as a cautionary tale about the government’s relationship with private enterprises, illustrating how taxpayer money can be leveraged to build profitable companies that may not operate transparently. The partnership between Palantir and the CIA raises critical questions regarding ethics and the true nature of oversight in government contracts.