NYC Comptroller Mark Levine Calls for Oversight of Palantir’s Involvement with the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

New York, NY – New York City Comptroller Mark Levine called for a third-party human rights risk assessment at Palantir Technologies, Home Depot and Lowe’s in light of concerns about the potential civil rights implications of each company’s activities and practices. Ongoing news reports have underscored the risks these potential activities could pose to each company’s long-term shareholder value.

In the letter to the Palantir Board of Directors, Comptroller Levine requested an independent assessment of its ongoing work with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Palantir’s founder-controlled ownership structure and the absence of clearly defined  independent board leadership heighten the concern for Comptroller Levine. Palantir’s current corporate governance structure places particular responsibility on its independent directors to provide the type of informed oversight that long-term shareholders reasonably expect, underscoring the need for an independent, third-party assessment.

“Federal law enforcement has ripped people from their homes and families, detained children, and gunned down U.S. citizens in the streets, stoking fears that the constitutionally protected rights of all people living in this country have been eroded, including in New York,” Comptroller Levine said. “Palantir’s role in developing and supporting these capabilities, compounded by the lack of independent oversight in its corporate governance is deeply concerning, and it is my duty as New York City Comptroller to call for a third-party risk assessment to protect the interests of the New York City pension funds.”

The recent fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, as well as recent ICE activities around the nation, have led to growing scrutiny over each company’s involvement with ICE and has generated national and global concern surrounding its oversight of the human rights risks associated with these activities.

Without adequate independent oversight of a company’s surveillance and data collection practices, questions are raised regarding the ability of the Board to hold its management accountable for its own human rights commitments. These issues present significant material and reputational risk and threaten long-term shareholder value.

In the letter to Palantir, Comptroller Levine raised serious concerns regarding the stark contrast between Palantir’s stated commitments and actual behavior, noting: “The apparent divergence between Palantir’s human rights commitments and the troubling public reports of ICE activities underscores the need for effective oversight.” He continued, “Media reports of the company’s own employees expressing concern further suggest these contracts may hinder retention, recruitment and long-term competitiveness.”

Additionally, Comptroller Levine has called for the Boards of Directors at Home Depot and Lowe’s to commission this risk assessment to review the companies’ collection, use, and sharing of license plate and other location-based data, including potential civil rights implications. Media reports have highlighted that Home Depot and Lowe’s parking lots have become focal points for ICE enforcement activity.

Read Comptroller Levine’s recent letters to each company’s board at http://comptroller.nyc.gov/letters.

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