He's closely associated with the Neoreactionary movement (NRx, for more research look up Curtis Yarvin) and coincidentally happens to be on good terms with the new VP pick JD Vance. They see principles like democracy as barriers to achiving personal power and enrichment. It makes a lot of sense he'd build a surveillance firm.

Relatively recent article from the Atlantic specifically on Thiel: https://archive.is/1Nz71

Slightly older article in Vanity Fair that covers his connections with NRx and other topics: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/04/inside-the-new-right...