JOHN: TONIGHT ON PBS NEWS WEEKEND, ICE SHOOTINGS SPARK PROTESTS AROUND THE COUNTRY AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DEPLOYS MORE BORDER PATROL AGENTS TO MINNEAPOLIS.

THEN, WHY CRITICS SAY MYANMAR'S FIRST ELECTIONS SINCE A MILITARY COUP FIVE YEARS AGO ARE A SHAM.

AND, A NEW BOOK OFFERS A GLIMPSE INTO ONE OF THE MOST SECRETIVE AND CONTROVERSIAL COMPANIES IN SILICON VALLEY.

MICHAEL: IT ENABLES LOTS OF COMPANIES TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THE INFORMATION THEY COLLECT.

MOST OF THE WORK IT DOES IS PRETTY BENIGN.

SOME OF IT IS QUITE LAUDABLE, BUT THEN THERE'S OTHER STUFF THAT GIVES A LOT OF PEOPLE CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

♪ JOHN: GOOD EVENING.

I'M JOHN YANG.

THIS WEEK'S SERIES OF SHOOTINGS BY FEDERAL AGENTS ENFORCING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION HAVE SPARKED A WEEKEND OF PROTESTS.

THERE WERE RALLIES AND DEMONSTRATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THEY WERE ORGANIZED AFTER A WOMAN WAS FATALLY SHOT BY AN IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AGENT IN MINNEAPOLIS ON WEDNESDAY AND A CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AGENT WOUNDED TWO PEOPLE THE NEXT DAY IN PORTLAND, OREGON.

IN MINNEAPOLIS, VOICES OF ANGER AND OUTRAGE WERE HEARD ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> KILLING PEOPLE IN THE STREETS AND INTIMIDATION TACTICS IS HORRIFYING, AND WE CANNOT ALLOW IT.

WE HAVE TO STAND UP.

>> WE WANT ICE OFF THE STREETS.

JOHN: FROM DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA, -- O WASHINGTON, D.C., PHILADELPHIA.

DEMONSTRATORS TOOK TO THE STREETS IN A MASS PROTEST DUBBED THE ICE OUT FOR GOOD WEEKEND OF ACTION.

SOME PROTESTERS SAY ICE IS OVERSTEPPING HIS LEGAL POWER AND JEOPARDIZING PUBLIC SAFETY, AND FOR OTHERS, DEATH THREAT TO DEMOCRACY IS JUST AS URGENT.

>> IT IS NOT ABOUT THEM.

IT IS ABOUT US.

ICE MUST GO.

JOHN: MORE PROTESTS ARE SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW.

LISA GILBERT IS THE CO-PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC CITIZEN, A PROGRESSIVE ADVOCACY GROUP THAT HELPED ORGANIZE TODAY'S PROTESTS.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY ABOUT TURNOUT AND WHETHER OR NOT THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS OR TROUBLES?

LISA: TURNOUT HAS BEEN AMAZING.

1000 PLUS EVENTS, PEACEFUL, LAWFUL VIGILS AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND IT IS AN ASTOUNDING MOMENT, WHERE PEOPLE ARE REACTING TO AN ATROCITY.

IT WAS ORGANIZED IN ONLY 40 EIGHT HOURS, SO THE FASTEST NUMBERS I'VE SEEN PEOPLE COMING OUT, NEIGHBORS TURNING OUT, ALL OF IT DEMONSTRATES THE REAL MAGNITUDE AND OUTRAGE.

JOHN: WERE YOU SURPRISED CAME TOGETHER SO QUICKLY?

LISA: I THINK THIS ISSUE REALLY IMPACTS US ALL.

NO ONE IN AMERICA SHOULD WALK THE STREET, FEARFUL OF ICE AGENTS, TO BE WORRYING THAT THEIR BUSINESSES COULD BE RANSACKED OR FACING INTIMIDATION AND VIOLENCE OR EVEN DEATH JUST FOR BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR.

I THINK MANY PEOPLE SEE THEMSELVES AND HAVE BEEN TRULY HORRIFIED BY THE ESCALATING VIOLENCE THEY HAVE SEEN FROM EYES.

AT THIS MOMENT, PEOPLE ARE REACTING TO AN ABUSE OF POWER THAT THEY HAVE BEEN WATCHING FOR WEEKS AND MONTHS.

JOHN: WHAT WAS THE GOAL TODAY, WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH?

LISA: THE GOAL FOR TODAY IS TO HAVE A COMMUNITY LED, NONVIOLENT, LAWFUL REACTION TO THE HORRORS THAT WE HAVE SEEN, THE DEADLY VIOLENT, THE ABUSE OF POWER FROM TRUMP AND NONE OF IT IS ACCEPTABLE, SO WE WOULD LIKE TO HONOR AND HUMANIZE THE LIVES THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY ICE.

WE WOULD LIKE TO DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY AND IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION INTO THE KILLING OF HER IN A GOOD, AND JUST REALLY EXPOSE THE SYSTEMATIC -- KILLING OF RENEE GOOD, AND JUST REALLY EXPOSE THE SYSTEMATIC KILLING THAT INCLUDES 30 PLUS LIVES THAT HAVE BEEN LOST IN ICE DETENTION JUST IN 2025.

SO CALLING FOR ATTENTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

JOHN: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SAID THEY WILL ALREADY DEPLOYING MORE, A BIGGER FEDERAL PRESENCE INTO MINNEAPOLIS.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

LISA: I THINK IT IS EXACTLY THE WRONG REACTION.

PEOPLE ARE CALLING FOR NONESSENTIAL, UNNECESSARY MILITARIZED FORCES TO LEAVE, AND THE REACTION HAS BEEN CLEAR, AND WHAT MORE TROOPS WILL SPARK IS MORE INTENSITY.

WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS DE-ESCALATE, FOCUS ON ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE HARMS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN PERPETRATED AND MOVE FORWARD.

THAT IS EXACTLY THE WRONG DIRECTION TO GO.

JOHN: THE MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR AND MINNESOTA GOVERNOR BOTH WARNED AGAINST DOING ANYTHING THAT COULD SORT OF BE USED AS A PRETEXT FOR SENDING IN MORE FEDERAL AGENTS.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

WAS THAT A CONCERN WHEN YOU ARE ORGANIZING THE EVENTS?

LISA: OUR EVIDENCE OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND PROTESTS, SO LONG AS THEY ARE NOT VIOLENT, AND WHAT WE WERE DOING IS THE REACTION OF THIS NATURE.

HOWEVER, WE KNOW THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS SEEKING ANY EXCUSE TO MILITARIZE AT A HIGHER LEVEL.

WE HAVE EVEN BEEN FEARFUL, AS MANY KNOW, OF THE INSURRECTION ACT, SO WE ARE ALWAYS WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WILL DO.

THEY HAVE CLEAR, AUTHORITARIAN GOALS, AND WHAT WE CAN CONTROL IS PEOPLE AND OUR ACTIONS, AND THEY ARE NEEDED IN THIS MOMENT OF VIOLENCE.

JOHN: DO YOU THINK THE MOMENTUM WILL KEEP UP TOMORROW?

>> IDEA, ABSOLUTELY.

YESTERDAY, THEY WERE 500 EVENTS, BY THE NIGHT, 800, BY THE MORNING, 1000 AND SO ON AND SO FORTH, AND PEOPLE ARE REALLY OUTRAGED, AND IT IS SHOWING UP EVERYWHERE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

JOHN: LISA GILBERT, CO-PRESIDENT OF THE PUBLIC CITIZEN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IN TONIGHT'S OTHER HEADLINES, TENSIONS ARE ESCALATING IN IRAN AS PROTESTS NEAR A SECOND WEEK.

TODAY, IRAN'S ATTORNEY GENERAL WARNED THAT PROTESTORS COULD FACE THE DEATH PENALTY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS WARNED OF RETRIBUTION IF PEACEFUL PROTESTORS ARE MET WITH VIOLENCE.

DESPITE EFFORTS TO CLAMP DOWN ON DISSENT, DEMONSTRATIONS HAVE GROWN, FUELED BY ANGER WITH THE HARDLINE RULING REGIME AND THE WORSENING ECONOMY.

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCHERS SAY AT LEAST 72 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED AND MORE THAN 2000 DETAINED SINCE THE PROTESTS BEGAN.

THE MILITARY CONFIRMED THIS EVENING THAT IT CONDUCTED SEVERAL LARGE-SCALE STRIKES AGAINST ISIS IN SYRIA IN RETALIATION FOR AN AMBUSH ON AMERICAN FORCES LAST MONTH.

U.S.

CENTRAL COMMAND SAID SEVERAL AIRSTRIKES WERE LAUNCHED THROUGHOUT SYRIA AS PART OF "OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE," AN EFFORT TO TARGET ISLAMIC TERRORISM AND PREVENT FUTURE ATTACKS.

LAST MONTH'S ATTACK KILLED TWO AMERICAN TROOPS AND A CIVILIAN TRANSLATOR WORKING IN PALMYRA.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS MOVED TO TIGHTEN U.S.

CONTROL OVER REVENUE FROM THE SALE OF VENEZUELAN OIL.

AN EXECUTIVE ORDER AIMS TO PREVENT LEGAL CLAIMS ON THE FUNDS BY PUTTING THE MONEY BEYOND THE REACH OF THE COURTS.

THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS THE PURPOSE IS TO ENSURE "ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL STABILITY IN VENEZUELA AND TO CURB ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION."

IT SAYS THE MONEY WILL BE THE PROPERTY OF VENEZUELA BUT WILL BE HELD IN U.S.

TREASURY ACCOUNTS.

MR.

TRUMP SIGNED THE ORDER AFTER MEETING WITH MORE THAN A DOZEN OIL EXECUTIVES AT THE WHITE HOUSE IN AN EFFORT TO RAISE $100 BILLION IN INVESTMENTS TO FIX VENEZUELA'S OIL INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND RESCUERS IN THE PHILIPPINES SAY THERE'S HOPE OF FINDING MORE SURVIVORS IN A MASSIVE AVALANCHE OF GARBAGE.

DISASTER RESPONSE TEAMS SAID THEY'RE DEPLOYING SPECIAL EQUIPMENT TO THE SCENE AFTER DETECTING SIGNS OF LIFE.

FOUR PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND DOZENS WENT MISSING ON THURSDAY AFTER A MOUNTAIN OF GARBAGE SUDDENLY COLLAPSED.

RESCUERS HAVE BEEN RACING THE CLOCK TO FIND SURVIVORS.

SO FAR, TWELVE INJURED WORKERS HAVE BEEN RESCUED.

STILL TO COME ON PBS NEWS WEEKEND, WITH VOTING UNDERWAY IN MYANMAR, WHAT'S AT STAKE AS THE COUNTRY'S CIVIL WAR RAGES ON.

AND, A PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN OF ONE OF SILICON VALLEY'S MOST SECRETIVE AND CONTROVERSIAL COMPANIES.

♪ >> THIS IS "PBS NEWS WEEKEND," FROM DAVID M. RUBENSTEIN STUDIOS IN WASHINGTON, HOME OF THE PBS NEWSHOUR, WEEKNIGHTS ON PBS.

♪ JOHN: THIS WEEKEND IN MYANMAR, WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS BURMA, THE SECOND PHASE OF NATIONAL ELECTIONS IS UNDERWAY.

IT'S THE FIRST ELECTION SINCE THE RULING MILITARY REGIME SEIZED POWER FIVE YEARS AGO, WITH MAJOR OPPOSITION PARTIES BARRED FROM PARTICIPATING.

LEADERS JAILED AND AN ONGOING CIVIL WAR KEEPING MANY FROM VOTING, THE PROCESS IS WIDELY CRITICIZED AS A SHAM.

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT KIRA KAY HAS THE STORY.

KIRA: THE NEWSROOM OF THE DEMOCRATIC VOICE OF BURMA IS ON COUNTDOWN.

HERE 2:00 P.M.

BROADCAST ABOUT TO GO LIVE.

TODAY'S NEWS IS ABOUNDING BY THE HOSPITAL NEAR THE MILITARY, WHO TOOK CONTROL OF THE COUNTRY FIVE YEARS AGO.

ALTHOUGH THEY SAY THEY WERE STRIKING REBELS, REPORTERS CONFIRMED THAT 34 CIVILIANS WERE KILLED, INCLUDING A PREGNANT WOMAN AND A THREE-MONTH-OLD BABY.

>> YOU SEE ALL THESE BOMBS, ALMOST EVERY DAY, AND A SIMILAR THING HAPPENED IN BURMA, EVERY DAY.

TWO OR THREE AIRSTRIKES EVERY DAY.

KIRA: THE FOUNDER RELIES ON A NETWORK OF JOURNALISTS TO RISK THEIR LIVES DAILY TO GET FOOTAGE OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

IT SITS IN NORTHERN THAILAND.

>> AND THIS IS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

KIRA: IT WAS FOUNDED IN 1992 AND NOW FINDS ITSELF THERE AGAIN AFTER THE COUP.

>> LIFE IN MYANMAR TODAY IS A FAR CRY FROM ITS SO-CALLED DECADE OF HOPE, WHICH BEGAN IN 2010, WHEN THE COUNTRY FIRST TENTATIVELY OPEN TO THE WORLD AND TRIED DEMOCRACY.

THAT IS WHEN NOBEL PRIZE-WINNING OPPOSITION LEADER WAS RELEASED FROM HOUSE ARREST, ALLOWED TO RUN FOR PARLIAMENT AND EVENTUALLY BECAME THE COUNTRY'S DE FACTO LEADER.

THE UNITED STATES ENGAGED, FUNDING DEMOCRACY EFFORTS AND ENCOURAGING INVESTMENT.

NEWSROOMS OPENED.

>> WE WERE QUITE EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO MOVE BACK TO BURMA.

WE WERE ABLE TO TRAVEL AROUND THE COUNTRY AND GET THE STORY FROM EVERYWHERE.

YOUNG PEOPLE REALLY ENJOYED THE FREEDOM WITH THE INTERNET.

IT IS AFFORDABLE TO ALMOST EVERYBODY, AND COMPANIES ARE COMING IN, SO IT IS A PRETTY PROMISING FUTURE FOR THE COUNTRY.

KIRA: BUT THE MILITARY NEVER FULLY LET GO.

THE CONSTITUTION GUARANTEE THEM 25 SEATS IN PARLIAMENT, GIVING THEM AN EFFECTIVE DETAIL OVER TRUE REFORM.

IN THE ARMY'S GENOCIDE OF THE PEOPLE, WHICH HAPPENED UNDER LEADERSHIP, WAS A BLACK STAIN ON THE REPUTATION.

SHE WALKED A FRAGILE LINE WITH THE MILITARY FROM THE BEGINNING.

>> IF YOU HAVE READ THE PRESENT CONSTITUTION, YOU UNDERSTAND THAT WITHOUT THE BACKING OF THE MILITARY, WE CAN NEVER SAY THAT WE ARE REALLY ON THE ROUTE TO DEMOCRACY.

KIRA: ON FEBRUARY 1, 20 21, FOLLOWING ANOTHER HUMILIATING LOSS AND CLAIM AN ELECTION FRAUD, THE MILITARY ENDED THE DEMOCRACY EXPERIMENT.

NEWLY ELECTED PARLIAMENTARIANS, INCLUDING THESE THREE FROM HER PARTY, WERE ABOUT TO BE SWORN IN FOR THE NEW TERM.

>> THEY DETAINED US REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES COLLECT AT 2:00 A.M.

IN OUR HOMES.

SOME OF THE MALE REPRESENTATIVES ARE TAKEN AWAY WITH HOODS OVER THEIR HEADS.

CIVIL SERVANTS AND STUDENTS LAUNCHED A NONVIOLENT PROTEST.

BUT THEN, THEY CRACKED DOWN.

>> WE HAD TO LAUNCH OUR RESISTANCE TOGETHER.

STUDENTS AND OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE, EVEN THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

NONE OF US WANTED TO DO ARMED RESISTANCE, BUT WE HAD NO OTHER CHOICE.

>> I TOOK A LEADING ROLE IN ORGANIZING THE PEOPLE'S DEFENSE FORCE.

WE HELD BASIC MILITARY TRAININGS ON THE BORDER AND COORDINATED FOR MY CONSTITUENTS.

KIRA: FIVE YEARS LATER, MYANMAR IS IN THE GRIPS OF A BRUTAL CIVIL WAR BUT AN INCREASINGLY DESPERATE POLITICAL GROUP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO WIN, DESPITE HELP FROM ABROAD.

>> WE HAVE BEEN TRACING THE USE OF SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS OF WAR TO ATTACK CIVILIANS.

WHERE ARE THEY GETTING THE WEAPONS?

WELL, PRESSURE, NUMBER ONE.

CHINA, NUMBER TWO.

KIRA: COMMANDERS IS A FORMER U.S.

CONGRESSMAN.

>> THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS NOT ONLY BE IN NOT PROVIDING THE REQUISITE LEVELS OF HUMANITARIAN AID BUT ARE UNWILLING TO PROVIDE DEPRESSION NECESSARY TO BACK THIS MILITARY OFF.

KIRA: WESTERN SANCTIONS ON JET FUEL AND THE MYANMAR BANKING SYSTEMS IS PARTIAL AND UNCOORDINATED.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DROPPED SOME AMERICAN SANCTIONS ON ALLIES OF THE ROMAN GENERALS -- ON ALLIES OF THE GENERALS, THIS SUMMER.

>> NO, WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT HER POSITION IS, WE DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE IS.

THEY ARE BEING MOVED TO PARTIAL CONDITIONS.

IT IS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO GET INFORMATION.

KIRA: ACROSS THE BORDER IN NEIGHBORING THAILAND, A PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT IS FLOURISHING, COMPRISED OF ONE SELECTED LEADERS.

>> I WILL TRY MY BEST TO TAKE DOWN THE MILITARY.

KIRA: THE NEWS HOUR FIRST MET HIM 10 YEARS AGO AS HE REGISTERED TO BE A FIRST-TIME CANDIDATE WITH HIS FATHER IN TOW.

WE NEXT MET HIM AND HIDING IN 20 22, AS HE HELPED ESTABLISH A PRO-DEMOCRACY NATIONAL CABINET.

HE ADMITS HE IS TIRED BUT NO LESS DETERMINED.

>> THE YOUNGER GENERATION ARE FIGHTING AGAINST THEM, AND COMPARED WITH THEM, MY SITUATION IS NOT SO BAD.

KIRA: YOUNG FORCES HAVE GAINED TERRITORY FROM THEIR CONTROL AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATIONS ARE TAKING OVER WITH GUIDANCE FROM THE PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADERSHIP.

>> WE HAVE TO GIVE PUBLIC SERVITUDE TO THE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY EDUCATION, AND ALSO OTHER THINGS, SO WE ARE TRYING TO GIVE THAT HONESTY TO THE PEOPLE.

KIRA: THE WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS ARE ACTIVELY COORDINATING AID AND SERVICES WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT IS A MOST DESPERATE NEED.

>> WE RELY ON THAT MONEY FOR SERVICES.

>> FOR ELECTRICITY.

MY MINISTRY IS THE MINISTRY OF ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY.

WE OVERSEE ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND CAN PROVIDE ELECTRICITY TO HUNDREDS OF VILLAGES.

KIRA: BUT NOW, DESPITE HAVING LOST CONTROL OF SIGNIFICANT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, THE MYANMAR MILITARY GOVERNMENT DECIDED THIS IS THE TIME TO HOLD A NEW NATIONWIDE ELECTION.

>> THEY KNOW HOW MUCH THEY WOULD LOSE ANY FREE AND FAIR ELECTION, SO THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO GO THROUGH THESE MOVES AND CHARADE OF AN ELECTION.

WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ACTUAL POLITICAL PARTIES THAT OVERWHELMINGLY WIN, THEY ARE OUTLAWED AND THAT FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS OUTLAWED, AND THEY WILL ACCEPT THE SO-CALLED ELECTION.

KIRA: INSIDE MYANMAR, ACTIVISTS ARE URGING A BOY CART, OPENLY ON PUBLIC STREETS, AT GREAT RISK TO THEIR LIVES.

THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN MORE THAN 300 ARRESTS UNDER A NEW SO-CALLED ELECTION INTERFERENCE LAW, WITH VIOLATORS FACING THE POTENTIAL OF THE DEATH PENALTY.

>> I FEEL ABANDONED AND HAVE MUCH LESS SPACE AND DEMOCRACY.

THE WORLD DOES NOT NEED TO DO A LOT OF THINGS TO HELP ME AND MARK.

FIRST, RECOGNIZE ARE TRULY ELECTED LEADERSHIP.

PUT PRESSURE ON FOR THE RELEASE OF LEADERS, HELP PREVENT JET FUEL AND ARMS BY SANCTIONING AND OTHER METHODS, AND STRONGLY REJECT SHAM ELECTIONS.

>> YOU HAVE CHAMPIONS ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE VALUES THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT WHAT AMERICANS ARE ALL ABOUT.

IT IS ALSO IN OUR NATIONAL SECURITY INTEREST.

THIS IS A STRATEGICALLY IMPORTED PART OF THE WORLD, NATURAL RESOURCES THAT ARE THERE.

THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES REALLY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO STAND FOR PRINCIPLE, BUT ALSO TO SEIZE STRATEGIC INTEREST.

KIRA: THE MYANMAR MILITARY GOVERNMENT WILL ANNOUNCE FINAL RESULTS AFTER A THIRD ROUND OF VOTING AT THE END OF JANUARY.

VOTER TURNOUT SO FAR HAS BEEN LOW.

FOR PBS NEWS WEEK END, I AM KIRA KAY.

JOHN: ON JANUARY 26, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WILL END TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR ABOUT 4000 BURMESE REFUGEES IN THE UNITED STATES, SAYING IT'S NOW SAFE FOR CITIZENS TO RETURN.

ADVOCATES FOR THESE REFUGEES SAY MOST OF THEM ARE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS WHO WOULD BE TARGETED BY THE MILITARY REGIME IF THEY WERE FORCED TO GO BACK.

MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES IS ONE OF THE MOST SECRETIVE AND POWERFUL COMPANIES IN SILICON VALLEY.

IT DEVELOPS SOFTWARE THAT CAN QUICKLY ANALYZE MASSIVE OF AMOUNTS OF DATA, USED BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, THE MILITARY AND MAJOR CORPORATIONS.

PHILOSOPHER IN THE VALLEY: ALEX - - A NEW BOOK, "THE PHILOSOPHER IN THE VALLEY: ALEX KARP, PALANTIR AND THE RISE OF THE SURVEILLANCE STATE," GIVES READERS A GLIMPSE INSIDE THE WORLD OF THIS CONTROVERSIAL TECH FIRM AND ITS OUTSPOKEN AND COLORFUL CEO.

ALI ROGIN SPOKE WITH THE AUTHOR, NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTING WRITER MICHAEL STEINBERGER.

ALI: MICHAEL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

LET'S START WITH THE MOST ESSENTIAL QUESTION.

WHO IS ALEX KARP AND WHAT IS PALANTIR?

ICHAEL: ALEX KARP IS THE CEO AND CO-FOUNDER OF PALANTIR, AND PALANTIR IS A TECHNOLOGY FIRM THAT SPECIALIZES IN DATA ANALYTICS.

IT MAKES SOFTWARE THAT ENABLES ORGANIZATIONS TO MAKE FASTER, MORE EFFICIENT USE OF THEIR OWN DATA.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO CLEAR UP SOME OF THE THINGS THAT PALANTAIR DOESN'T DO.

IT DOESN'T COLLECT DATA, IT DOESN'T STORE DATA, AND IT DOESN' SELL DATA.

IT JUST ENABLES ORGANIZATIONS, AND THESE ARE TYPICALLY LARGE ORGANIZATIONS, TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THEIR OWN DATA.

ALI: DEPENDING ON WHO YOU TALK TO, PALANTIR IS AN AMAZING TOOL FOR DATA COLLECTION AND EFFICIENCY, OR IT'S VERY DANGEROUS TECHNOLOGY THAT HAS POTENTIAL FOR GREAT ABUSE.

WHY IS IT THAT THIS COMPANY AROUSES SUCH STRONG FEELINGS ON BOTH SIDES?

MICHAEL: BECAUSE BOTH OF THOSE THINGS ARE TRUE.

IT ENABLES LOTS OF COMPANIES TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THE INFORMATION THEY COLLECT.

IT MAKES THEIR BUSINESSES MORE EFFICIENT, THEIR OPERATIONS MORE EFFICIENT.

BUT PALANTIR ALSO WORKS, FOR INSTANCE, WITH THE CIA AND A NUMBER OF OTHER CLANDESTINE SERVICES.

ITS TECHNOLOGY IS BEING USED NOW BY ICE.

TO HELP FACILITATE DEPORTATIONS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

SO IT'S USED BY A WIDE RANGE OF ORGANIZATIONS.

MOST OF THE WORK IT DOES IS PRETTY BENIGN.

SOME OF IT IS QUITE LAUDABLE, BUT THEN THERE'S OTHER STUFF THAT GIVES A LOT OF PEOPLE CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

ALI: MUCH OF THE BOOK IS A CASE STUDY ON WHO ALEX KARP IS, AND YOU WRITE ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE IS NOT A TECH GUY BY TRAINING, BY BACKGROUND, BUT HE DOES SEEM TO EMBODY THE DOMINANT SILICON VALLEY ETHOS RIGHT NOW WITH A LOT OF THESE COMPANIES MAKING THESE VERY POWERFUL TECHNOLOGIES WITH LITTLE TO NO OVERSIGHT, WITH GREAT POTENTIAL FOR MISUSE.

BUT WHAT THEY SAY IS IF WE DON'T MAKE THEM, THESE TOOLS ARE GONNA FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE BAD GUYS.

HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT AS IT RELATES TO ALEX CARPENTER?

MICHAEL: WELL, THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN KARP'S PITCH.

HE HAS EMPHASIZED FOR OVER 20 YEARS NOW THAT PALANTIR TAKES GREAT CARE TO GUARD PRIVACY, IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT PROTECTING CIVIL LIBERTIES.

BASICALLY THE IDEA HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT ITS SOFTWARE CAN ENABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO FIND THE BAD GUYS WITHOUT PULLING MILLIONS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE INTO THEIR DRAGNET AND SO, HIS PITCH ESSENTIALLY HAS ALWAYS BEEN, TRUST ME.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE REALITY IS THAT PALANTIR DOESN'T POLICE THE USE OF ITS OWN TECHNOLOGY.

IT IS UP TO THE CLIENT TO DECIDE HOW RIGOROUSLY, FOR INSTANCE, THEY WISH TO ENFORCE THE PRIVACY CONTROLS THAT THE SOFTWARE IS EQUIPPED WITH, AND THAT CONCERN HAS ALWAYSOBVIOUSLY HAD A LOT OF CONCERNS AT THE PRESENT MOMENT ABOUT HOW IT'S BEING USED, FOR INSTANCE, BY THE U.S.

GOVERNMENT, BY DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

ALI: I WOULD LIKE TO PRESS ON THAT.

[16:41:06]YOU WRITE IN THE BOOK ABOUT HOW KARP HAS DEFENDED HIS WORK WITH ICE.

PALANTIR HAS HAD CONTRACTS WITH ICE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, AND OF COURSE, ICE IS COMING UNDER GREATER SCRUTINY THESE DAYS DUE FOR SOME OF ITS ACTIONS.

HOW DO YOU THINK KARP WOULD EXPLAIN PALANTIRS WORK WITH ICE IF YOU WERE ASKED ABOUT IT TODAY?

MICHAEL: WELL, HE HAS DEFENDED PALANTIR'S WORK WITH ICE.

YOU KNOW, HIS VIEW ON IMMIGRATION HAS EVOLVED DURING THE FIRST TRUMP PRESIDENCY WHEN PALANTIR'S SOFTWARE WAS BEING USED BY ICE, HE DID NOT AGREE WITH DONALD TRUMP'S ON IMMIGRATION.

HE'S NOW SINGING A VERY DIFFERENT TUNE DURING THE SECOND TRUMP PRESIDENCY.

HE BELIEVES THAT THE 2024 ELECTION, AMONG OTHER THINGS, SIGNALED THAT BASICALLY AMERICANS I WANTED TO KEEP THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE COUNTRY THE SAME WAY AND THAT ESSENTIALLY EMPOWERED TRUMP TO TO PURSUE THIS CRACKDOWN.

AND YOU KNOW, KARP HAS MADE VERY CLEAR THAT PALANTIR IS HAPPY TO WORK WITH ICE TO IMPLEMENT THAT POLICY.

I HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO HIM ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN MINNEAPOLIS, FOR INSTANCE, BUT HE JUST, YOU KNOW HE HAS KIND OF BRUSHED ASIDE THE CONCERNS THAT PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED, EVEN PEOPLE INTERNALLY AT PALANTYR, ABOUT THE WORK THE COMPANY IS DOING WITH ICE.

ALI: YOUR BOOK PAINTS A REALLY DETAILED AND INTIMATE PICTURE OF WHO HE IS AS A PERSON, HIS ECCENTRICITIES.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT IS THE FACT THAT HIS ALMA MATER, WOULD YOU SHARE WITH THEM, HAVERFORD COLLEGE, WILL NOT INVITE HIM TO SPEAK.

WHY IS HE SO OBSESSED WITH THAT?

MICHAEL: WELL, I THINK WITH A LOT OF THESE GUYS, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING IN THEIR LIVES, SOMETHING, SOME WERE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THEIR SUCCESS, SOME ARE NOT GIVING THEM WHAT THEY THINK THEY ARE DUE.

AND FOR MUCH OF THE TIME THE TIME THAT I WAS REPORTING THE BOOK, IT WAS KIND OF A JOKEY THING.

I MEAN, HE WOULD KIND OF JOKE ABOUT IT, BUT YOU KNEW THAT HE WAS BEING SERIOUS.

HE WAS VERY IRRITATED THAT HAVERFORD WASN'T INVITING HIM TO SPEAK ON CAMPUS AT COMMENCEMENT OR ON ANY OTHER OCCASION, DESPITE THE SUCCESS HE'S HAD, DESPITE THE SUCCESSES HAD LEADING PALANTIR.

[10.4S] BUT IT TURNED MORE SERIOUS.

AFTER OCTOBER 7TH, AFTER THE OCTOBER 7 MASSACRE IN ISRAEL, WHEN PROTESTS ERUPTED ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING AT HAVERFORD.

AND HE WAS VERY ANGRY ABOUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING ON THE HAVERFORLD CAMPUS, TO THE POINT THAT HE SAID TO ME, THAT HE WOULD NEVER GET A DIME TO THE SCHOOL, SO YOU PROBABLY KNOW, WHAT WHAT'S KIND OF JOKING THROUGH-LINE DO MUCH OF THE BOOK TURNS QUITE SERIOUS TOWARDS THE END.

ALI: MICHAEL STEINBERGER, THE NEW BOOK IS THE PHILOSOPHER IN THE VALLEY.

THANK YOU.

JOHN: AND THAT IS PBS NEWS WEEKEND FOR THIS SATURDAY.

I'M JOHN YANG.

FOR ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

SEE YOU TOMORROW.