Key facts
- Palantir has secured over £670m in contracts with UK civil and defence industries since 2020.
- Key contracts include £330m with the NHS and £240m with the Ministry of Defence.
- Palantir partnered with the Israeli Ministry of Defence for "war related missions" in Gaza.
- Critics cite Palantir's alleged role in human rights abuses and controversial rhetoric.
- Concerns have been raised about national security and transparency regarding Palantir's UK deals.
The US data surveillance firm Palantir has significantly expanded its presence within the British state, securing over £670 million in contracts across civil and defence sectors since 2020. These deals, including a £330 million contract with the NHS and a £240 million agreement with the Ministry of Defence, have ignited ethical and national security concerns among politicians and campaigners.
Concerns are amplified by Palantir's alleged involvement in Israeli military operations in Gaza. In January 2024, the company partnered with the Israeli Ministry of Defence for "war related missions." A UN Special Rapporteur's report suggested Palantir possessed "executive-level knowledge and purpose vis-a-vis the unlawful use of force by Israel." Palantir's CEO, Alex Karp, responded to accusations of enabling civilian deaths by stating, "mostly terrorists, that’s true."
The Pentagon is reportedly investigating Palantir's AI system, Maven, for its potential role in a strike that killed over 170 people in Iran. Kristyan Benedict of Amnesty International UK stated that Palantir's software supports "Israel's ongoing genocide and apartheid in occupied Gaza" and that the company should have no place in British public services.
Palantir's founder, Peter Thiel, has a history of controversial statements and close ties to Donald Trump. The company's manifesto has also drawn criticism for its rhetoric on cultural supremacy and AI weapons. Former British ambassador Peter Mandelson, whose lobbying firm represented Palantir, accompanied Keir Starmer on a visit to Palantir's Washington headquarters in February 2025, shortly before a strategic partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence was announced.
Campaign Against the Arms Trade noted that the UK's reliance on Palantir makes it "deeply complicit in the genocide in Gaza" and prioritizes arms industry interests. The Ministry of Defence stated that robust processes are in place for contract awards. Palantir's UK CEO acknowledged supplying software to the Israeli army but denied its use in targeting in Gaza for publicly reported systems.
The NHS contract, set for renewal in 2027, has faced particular scrutiny, with MPs urging the government to terminate it due to concerns about data privacy and potential foreign influence. A cross-party committee warned that increasing reliance on Palantir represents an "unacceptable point of weakness" for UK public services.