UK Reassesses NHS Deal with Palantir

The UK government is reassessing its £330 million contract with US data firm Palantir, following concerns over data security and the company's ties to defense and immigration sectors. A recent parliamentary report labeled Palantir's involvement as an 'unacceptable weakness.' The review will determine if the contract should be ended early using a break clause in 2027. Palantir was selected in 2023 to develop a platform for sharing health data across the NHS. The deal was approved after a rigorous procurement process. Some MPs are calling for the contract to be terminated due to security risks. A recent report also revealed a top UK civil servant advised a Palantir partner during the bidding process. Palantir claims its software only processes data as instructed and that unauthorized use is technically impossible.

The review highlights growing concerns over data security and the role of foreign firms in UK public services.