Asma Mhalla‘s point of view about protecting diplomacy is that in today’s world, influenced heavily by technology and geopolitical struggles, everyone has essentially become a soldier.
She believes that with the rise of Big Tech companies and their control over technology, the brain has become the new battlefield. Protecting diplomacy now requires a form of vigilance and strength similar to that of soldiers because of the complex technological and geopolitical conflicts shaping our global order. In her view, the defense of democratic values and diplomacy demands a readiness to engage in this new kind of struggle where technology and political power intersect closely.
Asma Mhalla (born 26 March 1984 in Tunis) is a francoFrench-Tunisian political scientist and essayist.
She holds a doctorate in political studies from the École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS), an associate researcher at the Laboratoire d’anthropologie politique (LAP, UMR 8177, CNRS / EHESS and CNRS/EHESS).
She was a lecturer at Sciences Po Paris and at the École Polytechnique.
Asma Mhalla views the protection of diplomacy as a battlefield where everyone needs to become a soldier because of the complex influence of technology and global power dynamics. To develop this idea with concrete examples:
BlackRock controls enormous global financial assets—$12.5 trillion under management as of 2025—making it the world’s largest asset manager. It holds significant shares in many companies worldwide and influences financial markets and corporate decisions. Its dominance in managing investment funds and its involvement in risk management and asset advisory services mean it effectively controls a large portion of the world’s financial flows. This financial power translates into geopolitical influence, making BlackRock a key player in global economic shifts and indirectly in diplomacy through economic leverage and policy influence.
Palantir Technologies is known for controlling and analyzing vast amounts of metadata globally, providing intelligence and data analytics services to governments, military, and law enforcement agencies. Palantir helps collect, process, and visualize global data for security and strategic purposes. This control over information and data flows places it at the core of modern technopolitical conflicts, where data is the new battleground. Organizations like Palantir are pivotal in surveillance, intelligence gathering, and decision-making, which directly impact diplomatic tactics and national security.
Together, these examples show how diplomatic protection no longer relies solely on traditional military power but also on controlling financial resources like BlackRock and information flows like Palantir.
This intertwining of finance, technology, and geopolitics requires individuals and institutions to act like soldiers defending a new kind of sovereignty—one over data, capital, and influence in a highly connected, digital world.
For people with limited internet knowledge who want to protect their own data online, here is simple advice that can make a big difference:
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Avoid reusing passwords across different websites. Use a password manager to create and store complex passwords safely. This reduces the risk of being hacked if one site’s password is leaked.
Set Up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Whenever possible, enable 2FA on your accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step when logging in.
Use Privacy-Focused Browsers and Search Engines
Switch to browsers like Brave or Firefox and search engines like DuckDuckGo that block trackers and protect your browsing habits from being monitored.
Be Careful on Public Wi-Fi
Avoid entering sensitive information like passwords or bank details on public Wi-Fi networks. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) if you must connect to public networks, which encrypts your data and hides your identity.
Limit Sharing Personal Information Online
Only share essential personal details on websites and social media, and adjust privacy settings to limit who can see your data.
Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links or Downloads
Don’t click on unknown links or download apps/programs from untrusted sources to prevent malware infections.
Keep Devices and Software Updated
Regularly update your device’s operating system and apps to fix security vulnerabilities.
Separate Important Accounts
Use a dedicated email for critical accounts like banking, and avoid mixing that email with less secure sites to reduce exposure in case of breaches.
With just these practical steps, even people new to internet use can significantly improve their data privacy and security online.
Palantir has become deeply involved in healthcare data management through major contracts like the one with NHS England, where it is developing the Federated Data Platform (FDP). This platform aims to centralize and analyze patients’ medical information across the healthcare system to improve care efficiency and health trend analysis. Palantir’s systems integrate various types of health data, including electronic medical records, mental health services, medical evacuation logistics, and clinical lab results, into one platform.
This access gives Palantir significant influence over sensitive healthcare infrastructure and patient data. Palantir’s software facilitates real-time sharing and secure transmission of medical information between hospitals, clinics, labs, and third-party contractors, often through encrypted and role-based access systems designed to protect privacy. Despite these protections, concerns persist about the company’s control, transparency, and the dependency the healthcare services might develop on their proprietary technology.
Advice regarding Palantir‘s access to health services data includes understanding that systems like these can improve medical care but also introduce privacy risks due to their scope and influence. Patients and healthcare consumers should:
Inquire how their health data is being used and safeguarded.
Confirm that only authorized medical professionals or entities access their data.
Check that healthcare providers use systems with strong encryption and clear access control.
Advocate for transparency about data handling and for legal protections to prevent misuse.
Stay informed about updates in health data policies and technology providers involved in their care.
In summary, Palantir‘s role in healthcare data integration is transformative but requires strict oversight and active patient awareness to ensure data privacy and secure management of personal health information.
To protect their health data in Japan, individuals should:
Understand that companies like Palantir Japan are working with large healthcare providers and insurers to digitize and optimize services, which means your health data may be part of these platforms.
Make sure healthcare providers comply with Japan’s data protection laws, including the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI), which regulates personal data usage and mandates safeguards.
Ask healthcare providers how they protect health data, particularly regarding access controls, encryption, and limitations on data sharing.
Request transparency about who can see or use your health information within integrated platforms like Palantir Foundry.
Advocate for clear consent procedures and rights to opt-out or limit use of personal medical information.
Stay informed about updates from Palantir Japan and SOMPO regarding their privacy and data governance policies, which aim to align with privacy, security, and civil liberties principles.
Palantir Japan emphasizes privacy and security through strong data governance practices, role-based access, and compliance with international and local privacy standards.
However, being proactive about personal data rights and protections is essential, especially given the vast scale and influence of these platforms on Japanese health services.
For people living in Japan, here is a simple and easy-to-understand conclusion about Palantir and health data protection:
Palantir works closely with Japanese companies like SOMPO to improve healthcare and nursing care by collecting and analyzing health data.
This helps doctors and caregivers provide better services. However, because Palantir handles very personal and sensitive health information, it is important that strict rules and technologies are used to keep this data safe and private.
In Japan, laws like the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) protect your data.
Healthcare providers and companies using Palantir must follow these rules, ensure strong data security, and only allow authorized people to access your information.
It is important for everyone to ask questions about how their health data is used and to feel confident that it is protected with the highest care.
In short, Palantir‘s technology can make healthcare better, but everyone must work together to keep health information private and secure for all Japanese people.
In Japan, protecting your metadata is supported by strong laws like the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI).
This law requires companies to carefully manage and secure your personal data, including metadata, and to notify both authorities and individuals if a data breach occurs.
Always be aware of who collects your data, ask how it is used, and insist on strong security measures like encryption and limited access.
Protecting your metadata helps keep your privacy safe in today’s digital world.