Palantir Technologies has hired former Montana Democratic Senator Jon Tester as an advisor. The move is seen as an effort to address anticipated scrutiny from the new Congress over the tech industry’s ties to the previous administration. Tester, who lost his 2024 reelection bid, said his role is advisory, not lobbying.
During his time in the Senate, Tester criticized government surveillance powers, including those under the PATRIOT Act. He told NPR that Palantir’s values on privacy align with his own.
The hire comes as some Democratic lawmakers continue to question Palantir’s government contracts, including its work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.