- NHS workers boycott Palantir software, saying it links them to supporting company
- The government reportedly considered a termination clause amid the backlash.
- However, the UK FCA has just awarded Palantir a trial contract.
An increasing number of NHS staff in the UK are reportedly refusing to use Palantir’s Federated Data Platform (FDP), according to claims Financial timesreporting informal boycotts by clinical and non-clinical staff.
The biggest pushbacks come from ethical concerns about Palantir’s ties to U.S. intelligence and defense agencies, as well as immigration enforcement and other controversial geopolitical activities.
There are also ongoing concerns about privacy and data management when it comes to sensitive NHS patient data.
Article continues below.
Palantir’s position in the NHS criticized from within
In addition to the above, there is also constant pressure across Europe and the UK to reduce dependence on US tech companies – the US-based company is clearly an indirect target in this geopolitically influenced trend.
The report notes that groups such as the British Medical Association (BMA) are fueling resistance to Palantir’s software, with activists arguing that use of the platform essentially props up the company.
Politicians have already responded to the backlash and agree in part with what activists are advocating.
MPs say the criticism is about value, transparency and trust (not necessarily ideology) and as such the UK government could be considering a termination clause in the contract amid the backlash.
Together, Palantir’s NHS and FDP claim to have opened tens of thousands of new operations, reduced waiting times and improved scheduling, by combining multiple data sources into a central database.
However, while politicians appear to be reacting to NHS workers’ arguments, Palantir’s footprint is far from gone in the UK, with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) awarding the US tech company a three-month contract ahead of what could potentially be a much larger contract.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form and receive regular updates from us on WhatsApp also.
