Private US corp. Used by various gov'ts around the world, the US included. It's how gov'ts can both "not spy on their citizens" while end up having the ability to do so and use the info - by buying it from a private corpo.

Not just US, most governments, even the Swedish police.

TIL the company is very aptly named:

The stones were an unreliable guide to action, since what was not shown could be more important than what was selectively presented

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palant%C3%ADr