Technology

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“Palantir is here to disrupt…and, when it’s necessary, to scare our enemies and, on occasion, kill them.” – Alex Karp, Palantir CEO, 2025^[1]^

Palantir is a US-based data analytics firm specialising in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and software commonly used by states in surveillance, border enforcement, policing and warfare. Palantir’s Federated Data Platform (FDP) aims to sit across NHS Trusts, ICBs and NHS England in order to connect and analyse pre-existing data on a national and local scale.

This report is prepared for NHS Trust Boards, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), Health Scrutiny Committees, and Health Data Governance Committees to outline key concerns of the authors, endorsers and supporters regarding the involvement of Palantir Technologies in NHS data infrastructure and operations, including via their delivery of the FDP. It is intended to inform and empower Trust decision making about engagement with Palantir. At the time of writing, the FDP is not mandatory, and local health bodies are able to both raise concerns and decline to implement the FDP at the local level. It is the view of the authors, endorsers and supporters that, for the reasons explained in this document, there are many more suitable options for data management solutions for Trusts and ICBs.

NHS England can also choose not to extend the national contract with Palantir beyond the initial 3-year contract. The contract’s review is upcoming in early 2027 at which point it could be terminated. In 2021, the UK’s Department of Health and Social Care terminated a data deal regarding adult social care with Palantir following criticism, and the concerns regarding Palantir’s presence in public services have only grown since then.^[2]^