‘Mistrust’ of Palantir may affect NHS research, says health minister
Summary
The UK government is concerned that distrust in the US tech company Palantir may lead NHS patients to refuse sharing their medical data for research. Health ministers are reviewing Palantir’s £330 million contract amid growing data opt-outs and debate about the company's role and ethics.Key Facts
- Around 60,000 more NHS patients chose to withdraw their data from research between mid-May and mid-July 2024.
- Palantir holds a £330 million contract to manage the NHS's federated data platform aimed at improving healthcare services.
- Critics question Palantir’s ethics due to its links with the Israeli military, US immigration agency ICE, and its founder’s political ties.
- Palantir states its technology has helped the NHS perform 110,000 more surgeries and reduce patient discharge delays by 15%.
- NHS England confirms similar improvements but says it can’t confirm Palantir’s technology caused these results; the government’s data watchdog is investigating.
- Palantir paid just £2 million in UK corporation tax in 2024 despite large public sector contracts.
- London’s mayor blocked a £50 million contract to Palantir for police AI work, citing value conflicts, and the company is suing over this decision.
- Health Minister James Frith said the rise in data opt-outs is modest but could affect NHS research, and NHS trusts are not required to use Palantir’s platform if they prefer alternatives.
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