Coles ends partnership with Palantir following public protest

Australian supermarket chain Coles has announced it will end its partnership with US data firm Palantir. The decision follows a public campaign led by the activist group GetUp, which gathered over 85,000 signatures and utilized approximately 700 digital billboards to protest the use of Palantir’s software.

The three-year agreement, initiated in early 2024, granted Palantir access to 10 billion rows of data involving Coles’ 120,000 employees and various store operations. Interim CEO Paul Ferris stated that a national campaign should not have been necessary to determine if military-grade surveillance technology was being used during routine retail activities.

While Coles transitions away from the partnership, Palantir continues to face scrutiny regarding its dual role as a provider for both enterprise logistics and national security agencies. In Germany, the use of Palantir’s software by police in Hessen is also under debate as the current contract for the ‘Hessendata’ analysis tool approaches its expiration next year, with officials weighing whether to renew the license or seek European alternatives.