French software group ChapsVision said on Thursday its independent ethics committee can block contracts where its software could be misused, underscoring how oversight has become central as Europe seeks local alternatives to U.S. data analytics providers.
ChapsVision President Silvano Sansoni told Reuters at VivaTech that the panel can stop work on any project, with reviews based on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development transparency indicators, the United Nations Charter and European rules.
"They have a right of veto," Sansoni said, referring to the ethics committee. "They can tell me: 'No, Silvano, you are not allowed to ⁠go there,'" if a country or project raises concerns. The committee can also halt ongoing contracts if the scope or clients' requests change, Sansoni added.
The oversight carries weight because ChapsVision sells tools that process sensitive data for governments and companies, where questions over privacy, civil liberties and accountability are acute.
ChapsVision is pitching ArgonOS as a European platform for intelligence and decision-making.
The company has positioned itself as an alternative to U.S.-based Palantir Technologies, which has faced criticism from rights groups and activists over work in areas including immigration, health and security, raising concerns about surveillance, use of personal data and reliance on a politically divisive contractor.


-Reuters