Key facts
- MPs on the Health and Social Care Select Committee have urged the government to cancel Palantir's £330 million contract with the NHS.
- The committee cited public mistrust, contested evidence of the system's benefits, and the availability of alternative tools.
- The Science and Technology Committee previously recommended exercising a February 2027 break clause in the contract.
- Up to 117 NHS data and technology workers warned that patient privacy protections were inadequate.
- Palantir's CEO Alex Karp previously stated its technology is used against 'terrorists'.
- Palantir's UK and Europe chief stated critics have chosen ideology over patient safety.
A second parliamentary committee has urged the UK government to cancel Palantir's £330 million contract with the National Health Service, intensifying pressure on ministers over the US tech company's involvement in public services. The Health and Social Care Select Committee's recommendation follows similar calls from the Science and Technology Committee, which previously advised exercising a break clause in the deal scheduled for February 2027.
The committees cite significant public and medical profession mistrust of Palantir's system, which is designed to unify and analyze sensitive NHS health data. Concerns include inadequate patient privacy protections and contested evidence of the Federated Data Platform's (FDP) benefits. Up to 117 NHS data and technology workers have also voiced opposition, warning that a loss of public trust could compromise data quality and that the software is "frankly mediocre."
Palantir, co-founded by Peter Thiel, also works with military and intelligence services globally. Critics point to its work with the Israeli military and US immigration agencies as reasons for its unsuitability for the NHS. Palantir's CEO Alex Karp has previously responded to criticism by stating its technology is used against "terrorists." Palantir's UK and Europe chief, Louis Mosley, has defended the contract, arguing that critics prioritize ideology over patient safety and that the technology has contributed to increased operations and faster cancer diagnoses.
A spokesperson for Palantir stated that its software assists in delivering better patient care, with data processing strictly controlled by NHS trusts in accordance with their instructions. However, the health workers union, Unison, has warned against allowing firms like Palantir to "capture" the NHS, prioritizing profits over ethics. Health and Social Care Secretary James Murray indicated that the contract is currently under review ahead of its breakpoint.