‘Potential security risk’: Unpacking the UK’s trust issues with Palantir
Summary
Palantir Technologies, a US software company known for defense and intelligence work, has a major contract with the UK's National Health Service (NHS) to manage health data. Concerns have grown in the UK about Palantir’s access to sensitive patient data and its military background, leading to debates about whether it should continue handling NHS information.Key Facts
- Palantir began working with the NHS in 2020 on a £1 contract during the COVID-19 pandemic, which grew into a six-year deal worth about £400 million.
- The company's recent public statements included a 22-point plan supporting universal military service and AI weapons, raising concerns about its values.
- Palantir’s main NHS data project is called the Federated Data Platform (FDP), valued at £330 million.
- Critics worry that Palantir’s defense origins conflict with the healthcare focus of the NHS.
- NHS England reportedly allowed Palantir employees broad access to patient data, according to an internal note.
- Palantir says it only processes data based on NHS instructions and does not use the data for its own purposes.
- The NHS and the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre audit Palantir’s data controls to ensure compliance.
- Experts note it is difficult to verify if tech companies fully protect or misuse sensitive data despite audits.
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