Palantir defends its record as MPs demand more scrutiny of data use

UK Members of Parliament from various parties, including Labour, Liberal Democrats, Green, and Conservative, have voiced concerns over Palantir's involvement with sensitive patient data within NHS contracts. Critics point to the company's historical funding links to the CIA, contracts with the Israeli Defence Force, and its owner's political donations, raising questions about surveillance and data protection. Some MPs have labeled the firm a "military surveillance company" and a "major security risk" for handling patient data.

In response, Palantir UK executive vice-chair Louis Mosley welcomed the scrutiny, asserting the company is "delivering for patients" by helping to connect the NHS's fragmented IT systems. He stated that Palantir has "no interest in patient data in the UK" and that accessing such data is not part of their business model or legal basis of operation, comparing their role to that of Microsoft products used within the NHS. The £300 million contract, awarded at the end of 2023, is for Palantir's Foundry "federated data platform," designed to integrate incompatible databases to improve efficiency in managing waiting lists, hospital supplies, and available beds.