France’s domestic intelligence agency DGSI has terminated its contract with US data analytics giant Palantir Technologies and switched to French firm ChapsVision, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Tuesday.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Tuesday that the Directorate-General for Internal Security (DGSI) would transition away from Palantir's services in favor of a homegrown alternative, citing strategic concerns over reliance on technologies developed outside Europe.

"We must use our own AI models; we cannot accept new strategic dependencies in the digital sphere," Lecornu said in a video statement posted on X.

"We cannot rely on tools developed by foreign powers. France must have its own tools."

The decision reflects a broader shift among European governments, which have increasingly questioned whether critical sectors such as security, artificial intelligence and public services should depend heavily on American technology companies.

Founded by billionaire entrepreneur Peter Thiel with early backing from the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Palantir specializes in military-grade artificial intelligence and data integration platforms used by governments, intelligence agencies and private corporations around the world.

Neither Palantir nor ChapsVision immediately commented on France's decision.

The debate over technological autonomy has intensified amid geopolitical uncertainty and concerns among European allies about the long-term reliability of US support in areas ranging from defense to digital infrastructure.

France's move comes as other European countries also reconsider their relationships with Palantir.

Germany's military has reportedly decided to discontinue its use of the company's software, while authorities in the United Kingdom are reviewing the National Health Service's £330 million ($440 million) data contract with Palantir following political scrutiny and parliamentary pressure.

In London, Mayor Sadiq Khan blocked a proposed £50 million contract between Palantir and the Metropolitan Police, citing procurement and value-for-money concerns. The company subsequently threatened legal action.

Meanwhile, US-based AI firm Anthropic recently announced restrictions on access to some of its most advanced artificial intelligence models after the US government reportedly directed the company to exclude foreign nationals from certain services on national security grounds.

As part of its broader digital strategy, Lecornu announced that France plans to invest €655 million ($760 million) in artificial intelligence development.

The government also intends to launch a shared chatbot system across state institutions, alongside a dedicated public-health chatbot for the state-owned health insurance agency Ameli. Officials further outlined plans for a new digital platform designed to simplify public access to government data and services.

The initiatives form part of France's efforts to build sovereign technological capabilities and reduce vulnerabilities associated with external digital dependencies.

Palantir has also faced criticism from human rights advocates and activists over its business relationships and activities linked to Israel.

The company has signed strategic partnerships with Israeli government bodies and expanded cooperation with Israel's defense and security institutions despite mounting international criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Critics argue that technology firms should exercise greater scrutiny regarding the use of advanced data-analysis and artificial intelligence tools in conflict settings.

France's decision to replace Palantir with a domestic alternative is therefore being viewed not only as a strategic choice about digital independence, but also as part of a broader European debate over technological sovereignty, ethics, and the role of foreign technology providers in national security. (ILKHA)