Key facts
- Andy Burnham, expected to be the next UK prime minister, plans to terminate Palantir's NHS contracts.
- Concerns over Palantir's AI strategy, work with the Israeli military, and data practices are cited.
- Palantir has a seven-year £330m deal with the NHS, alongside contracts with the Ministry of Defence.
- Critics point to Palantir's role in "war-related missions" and potential involvement in civilian targeting.
- A cross-party committee warned of "unacceptable" reliance on Palantir in the UK public sector.
Andy Burnham, widely expected to become the next British prime minister, is reportedly planning to terminate Palantir's contracts with the National Health Service (NHS). The Telegraph reported that Burnham's team believes "unfettered tech boosterism" is alienating voters and is reviewing the government's overall artificial intelligence strategy.
This move comes two years into Palantir's seven-year £330 million NHS deal. The US data surveillance firm also holds a £240 million contract with the Ministry of Defence and a £15 million contract related to Britain’s nuclear deterrent. Despite a lack of transparency, at least 34 contracts have been uncovered across various UK public sectors, including police, child social care, and environmental services.
Palantir has faced significant criticism for its relationship with the Israeli military. In January 2024, the company partnered with the Israeli Ministry of Defense for "war-related missions" involving drone-fired missiles targeting civilians in Gaza. Palantir's CEO, Alex Karp, stated that the technology targets "mostly terrorists," a claim that drew scrutiny from UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese regarding the "unlawful use of force by Israel."
Further controversy surrounds Palantir's AI system, Maven, which the Pentagon is reportedly investigating for its potential role in a US missile strike on an Iranian girls' school. The company, co-founded by Peter Thiel, was partially funded by the CIA at its inception.
Burnham, during his tenure as mayor of Greater Manchester, did not issue any contracts to Palantir. Conservative shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew criticized the potential move, arguing it would prioritize politics over patient care and deter leading technology companies from partnering with the NHS.
However, Palantir has become increasingly unpopular within the Labour Party. Last month, MPs urged the government to exercise a break clause in the contract and seek alternative providers. A cross-party Science, Innovation and Technology Committee report warned that reliance on Palantir represents an "unacceptable point of weakness" for public services.
Palantir's UK CEO, Louis Mosley, has accused critics of prioritizing ideology over patient safety, while multiple NHS hospitals have reportedly rejected the technology due to a perceived loss of functionality. Separately, London Mayor Sadiq Khan initially blocked a £50 million Metropolitan Police deal with Palantir over procurement rule breaches but later granted a 12-month pilot project after the company initiated legal action.