Palantir Technologies is reportedly now partnering with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to develop a comprehensive “mega API” for accessing Internal Revenue Service (IRS) records.
Over three days, representatives from Palantir and IRS engineers collaborated in a hackathon-style event to create a unified API that would streamline data exchange across IRS databases.
The project aims to consolidate various IRS data, which includes sensitive information such as taxpayer names, addresses, social security numbers, and tax returns.
If successful, the API could enable users to access and potentially modify all IRS data through Palantir’s Foundry platform, which organizes data for analysis and application development.
Palantir’s Foundry software is designed to enhance data accessibility and machine learning capabilities, allowing users to efficiently query complex datasets.
Engineers involved in the initiative are optimistic about completing the project within 30 days. However, concerns arise about who would ultimately gain access to this centralized repository of sensitive information.
While Palantir has garnered significant government contracts, including tools for defense and intelligence, a Treasury Department spokesperson emphasized that no contracts have yet been finalized.
The agency is looking to include several potential vendors, with Palantir being one of them.
The initiative aligns with a recent executive order aimed at breaking down information silos within government agencies to combat fraud and inefficiency.
However, consolidating sensitive data poses potential risks. The Government Accountability Office is currently examining DOGE’s management of sensitive data across several federal departments.
This API development project is led by Sam Corcos, a former SpaceX engineer, who is focused on modernizing IRS systems to enhance efficiency and reduce complexities within the agency’s technological infrastructure.
[READ MORE: Palantir Assisting DOGE With Major Data Project for IRS]
