Investors escalate pressure on Palantir over human rights risks ahead of AGM

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Source: Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace

A growing coalition of faith-based and institutional investors and leaders is calling on shareholders of Palantir Technologies Inc. (Palantir) to vote FOR Proposal 5 at the Company's June 3, 2026, Annual General Meeting. The proposal, filed by Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace (CSJP), supported by Investor Advocates for Social Justice (IASJ), other shareholders, and a broad coalition of faith leaders, requests that Palantir conduct and publish a Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) noting mounting concerns over the use of Palantir's technologies in ways that may contribute to severe human rights harms, including an 84% rise in ICE detentions and record-high deaths in custody since January 2025, amongst other rights violations.

A Human Rights Impact Assessment is a widely recognised human rights due diligence tool that could help Palantir comply with its international human rights obligations to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for adverse human rights impacts associated with its business relationships and technologies. In its statement of opposition, Palantir argued that an HRIA would provide no "materially useful information" and cited confidentiality obligations. The sisters and their partners at IASJ are challenging this position.

"Pope Leo XIV continues to warn the world against allowing advanced technologies to strip away human responsibility and dignity, a vital moral urgency that is at the heart of his upcoming encyclical on artificial intelligence, Magnifica Humanitas. We are seeing those very risks play out right now in the public evidence linking Palantir's software to the surveillance and targeting of migrant communities by agencies like ICE. To ensure technology serves the common good rather than exacerbating human suffering, Palantir must commit to an independent Human Rights Impact Assessment," stated lead filer Sr Susan Francois, CSJP, Assistant Congregation Leader.

Proposal 5 specifically addresses concerns raised by civil liberties organisations, privacy advocates, and journalists regarding Palantir's connection to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), concerns about health data surveillance, as well as other violations of human rights, including privacy concerns, freedom of movement, freedom of expression, non-discrimination, peaceful assembly, and due process. Investors believe Palantir's disclosures on human rights due diligence fall short, particularly given the Company's publicly stated commitments to international human rights standards, and are seeking clear evidence that these policies go beyond statements and are actually implemented operationally.

On May 14, 2026, 34 investors representing over $336 billion in assets sent a letter to Palantir's Board, expressing concern about insufficient due diligence and transparency regarding the use of its products. "Investors are asking for something very reasonable: transparency and accountability," said Aaron Acosta, Program Director at IASJ. "When a company's technologies are repeatedly linked to allegations of surveillance, discrimination, and other human rights harms, shareholders have the right to understand how those risks are being assessed and managed."

In February 2026, the New York City Comptroller also urged Palantir to commission an independent human rights risk assessment related to its work with DHS and ICE, citing risks to shareholder value. Additionally, ABP, the Netherlands' largest pension fund, recently divested from Palantir, while pension funds across several US states are reportedly facing pressure from beneficiaries to do the same.

Palantir claims to respect human rights, but investors and the public have little insight into how the Company actually assesses or mitigates these risks. If the Company believes reports surrounding its technologies are incorrect, an independent Human Rights Impact Assessment would provide an opportunity to increase transparency and clarity, and mitigate reputational risk.
Proposal 5 will be presented to shareholders at Palantir's Annual General Meeting on June 3, 2026. CSJP and IASJ are urging shareholders to vote FOR Proposal 5!