In Bavaria, a scaled-down version of the platform has already been in use for several months—under strict legal constraints and close scrutiny by data protection authorities.
VeRA – Bavaria’s Analysis Platform
The system deployed in Bavaria is called VeRA, short for “Verfahrensübergreifende Recherche- und Analyseplattform” (Cross-Procedural Research and Analysis Platform). It is a simplified version of Palantir’s Gotham software, originally developed for U.S. intelligence and security agencies.
VeRA’s core function is to link various police data sources. It integrates information from criminal investigation databases, case files, and vehicle registries, aiming to uncover relationships between suspects, locations, incidents, and other police records.
According to internal sources within law enforcement, VeRA has significantly accelerated investigation processes. Tasks that previously required hours or even days of manual research can now be completed within minutes.
Strict Legal Framework Governs Its Use
The use of VeRA is tightly regulated by law. The software may only be used to prevent serious threats, such as terrorist attacks or violent crimes. Each use must be personally authorized by high-ranking police officials, such as the head of the State Criminal Police Office or a regional police authority.
VeRA does not employ automated decision-making or machine learning AI. Its legal basis stems from a 2023 amendment to Bavaria’s Police Task Act, passed in response to a ruling by Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court. Other states, such as Hesse, require that data from non-suspects be redacted and excluded from investigations.
Not Limited to Terrorism Cases
Investigations by NDR, WDR, and Süddeutsche Zeitung revealed that VeRA was used nearly 100 times between September 2024 and May 2025—and not exclusively in high-risk scenarios. In more than 20 cases, it was used for more routine crimes, including organized bicycle theft and ATM bombings.
Bavarian authorities emphasize that each use is carefully reviewed and documented. The high legal thresholds, they claim, are strictly upheld in practice.
Technical Safeguards Against Abuse
To minimize risks, VeRA runs exclusively on internal servers operated by the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office. External access—especially by Palantir itself—is technically impossible, according to the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior. Only trained police officers are permitted to use the platform.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology reviewed VeRA’s source code before deployment. According to the institute, no “backdoors” or hidden data leaks were found. However, the full technical report remains classified, as it contains sensitive IT specifications and Palantir trade secrets.
Persistent Criticism Despite Safeguards
Despite security measures, data privacy advocates remain skeptical. Thomas Petri, Bavaria’s data protection commissioner, criticized VeRA for including data on individuals not suspected of any wrongdoing. The Society for Civil Rights and the Chaos Computer Club have filed a constitutional complaint, arguing that the software violates the right to informational self-determination.
A nationwide rollout of Palantir’s technology is still undecided. While Minister Dobrindt supports the idea, resistance from SPD-led states remains strong. Critics cite not only civil liberties concerns but also the dependence on a U.S.-based tech firm. Currently, no European alternative to Palantir’s platforms exists.
Palantir Technologies – Background
Founded in 2003/2004 in the United States, Palantir Technologies is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The company is led by CEO Alexander Karp and employs about 4,000 people globally as of December 2024. It is publicly traded on the stock market.
Palantir’s key products include the platforms AIP, Apollo, Foundry, and Gotham, which are designed to assist government agencies and private companies in processing vast datasets, particularly for counterterrorism and crime prevention. Clients include institutions in the U.S. and Europe, as well as major corporations like JPMorgan Chase.
As of February 2025, three German states use Palantir software:
- Bavaria: Since August 2024 with VeRA, a modified version of Hesse’s hessenDATA
- Hessen: Using hessenDATA since 2017
- North Rhine-Westphalia: Statewide deployment of the DAR system since May 2022
A 2023 initiative to create a nationwide platform (“Bundes-VeRA”) failed due to opposition from the Federal Ministry of the Interior. That same year, the Federal Constitutional Court sharply limited the legal scope for deploying such systems.
New Development: Baden-Württemberg Adopts Palantir
In late July 2025, the state of Baden-Württemberg announced that it will begin using Palantir’s Gotham platform for its state police force. The use will be time-limited and subject to parliamentary oversight, with the stated goal of employing the software only temporarily—until a European alternative becomes available.
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