Experian Technology Chief Said 'We Are Not Palantir'. So What Are They?
Is your credit score the key to your life or its shackles? Experian's technology chief Alex Lintner tries to defend what his company does with our data, between its rhetoric of 'transparency' and 'consent'. Here are the striking details.
Let's be honest: How many of us truly understand that three-digit, damn credit score? That number that pops up on the bank screen holds the keys to your car, the door to your home, and sometimes even the path to your job. Or it locks them. And one of the names at the helm of the massive, dark factory behind this number, Alex Lintner, takes the microphone and says: "We are not Palantir."
Alright. But that doesn't explain what they are. Lintner spoke on The Verge's Decoder podcast. He is the CEO responsible for global technology and software solutions at Experian. In other words, the chief engineer of the massive machine that stores, processes, and scores the financial history, habits, successes, and failures of billions of people. The interview with him offers clues about the company's perception of artificial intelligence, privacy, and of course, 'responsibility'. But when you read between the lines, you see the same old tension: We just process the data, we are not the ones making the decision.
The Grand Illusion of Consent and Economic Necessity
The word Lintner emphasizes the most: "Consent." According to him, the system is entirely based on voluntariness, and you can opt out if you wish. You can pause here and have a laugh. Because the truth is: If you want to rent an apartment, get car financing, or even apply for some jobs, you don't have the luxury of not being part of Experian's ecosystem. This is not a choice; it's an economic necessity. The 'opt-out' option Lintner mentions is, in practice, no different from a suicide pact that brings most people's lives to a halt.
So what do they do with all this sensitive data? This is where it gets interesting. Lintner claims the company's focus is not on predictive analytics but on "verification." So, according to them, the system verifies who you are and what you've done in the past, enabling financial institutions to make better decisions. How noble, right? However, within this verification mechanism, there are mysterious algorithms that develop outside your control, and as is now the case everywhere, artificial intelligence.
AI's Black Box and the Limits of Responsibility
It's unthinkable for a giant like Experian not to join the AI race. Lintner also mentions that AI is used to improve data quality and detect fraud. However, the critical question here is: How are these AI models trained? Can an artificial intelligence fed with historical data that may contain systemic biases produce a fair score? Lintner's explanations on this matter don't go beyond typical corporate rhetoric: Security, privacy, and ethics are paramount.
It's at this very point that one can't help but think of another revolution in the industry. Tools like DeepSeek's agent that transforms sectoral workflows show how AI is integrated not just for analysis but into active decision-making processes. The AI used by Experian is perhaps shaping the ultimate decisions about who is 'trustworthy' in a much quieter and deeper way. Is this really so different from what Palantir does?
Instead of a Final Word: Not Trust, but Accountability
Lintner, as an experienced technocrat, explains his company's complex structure and good intentions. But the question on my mind, and probably yours, is simple: What happens if they make a mistake? If your score is miscalculated, if a data breach occurs, or if an algorithmic bias ruins your life, who will be responsible? Saying "We just provide the data" is not a sufficient excuse to evade the consequences created by this immense power.
The thing called a credit score is no longer just a financial indicator; it's a social identity card. And those who print this card cannot get away by saying they are only responsible for the ink and paper. Lintner's "We are not Palantir" statement perhaps most of all shows that they too are struggling with the same perception of terrifying power and ambiguity. The problem is not what they are, but that they still haven't clarified what they want to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Experian calculate my credit score?
Experian evaluates factors such as your payment history (credit card, loan repayments), your current debt burden, the length of your credit history, new credit you've taken, and the types of credit you use with a secret formula to generate your score. However, the full details and weightings of this formula are protected as a trade secret by the company, which is one of the biggest transparency issues.
What does he mean by "We are not Palantir"?
Alex Lintner is trying to emphasize that Experian is not a company like Palantir that carries out controversial data analysis and surveillance projects for governments, and that its main focus is the verification and reporting of individual consumer financial data. The basic claim is that their field of activity is more limited and 'legitimate'.
Can I dispute my credit score? Does this really work?
Yes, if you believe there is incorrect information associated with your score (like a wrong late payment record), you can file a dispute with Experian. The process is usually conducted through online platforms. Disputes can be corrected if there is indeed an error, and your score can be positively affected. However, you have no chance to question the algorithm itself or the scoring methodology; you can only correct the input.
