Protesters Target Peter Thiel Residence Over Argentina Tech Laws

Protesters gathered at the Buenos Aires residence of billionaire Peter Thiel following a six-hour congressional debate regarding sweeping regulatory changes proposed by the government of President Javier Milei. The proposed measures include the super RIGI investment regime, which provides 30-year regulatory guarantees and minimal tax rates for foreign companies, specifically those building AI datacenters.

Other contested proposals include the removal of restrictions on foreign land ownership and a requirement for government departments to share citizen data with state intelligence services. Deputy Juan Marino characterized the legislative package as technofascist, suggesting the laws aim to entrench the power of US tech billionaires. Concerns were also raised regarding potential undisclosed contracts between the Argentine state and Palantir, a company co-founded by Thiel.

Thiel, President Milei, and a state intelligence official all declined invitations to testify before the chamber of deputies. Cecilia Nicolini, a representative at the Mercosur regional parliament, claimed that US tech billionaires are using Argentina as a laboratory for these policies.