NHS England has reportedly granted Palantir staff and other contractors access to identifiable patient information, even before the data undergoes pseudonymization. This decision has sparked criticism from MPs, who label it as "dangerous" and likely to fuel public fears regarding data privacy within the health service. An internal NHS briefing, cited in reports, indicated that this move would permit "unlimited access to non-NHSE staff" to parts of the NHS's Federated Data Platform (FDP) that contain identifiable patient data.
Palantir, a US tech firm known for its work with entities like Donald Trump's ICE immigration crackdown and various military organizations, secured a $330 million contract to develop the FDP. The FDP aims to integrate disparate datasets and enhance efficiency within the NHS through AI systems. This access to patient data without prior pseudonymization has led to concerns about the erosion of public trust, particularly given Palantir's controversial history and the significant financial commitment involved in the contract.
Adding to the controversy, several senior NHS leaders have been identified with financial or professional ties to Palantir. This has intensified scrutiny of the $330 million contract, with some calling for its termination when it comes up for renewal next year. An official government adviser has also criticized NHS England for its lack of transparency regarding Palantir staff's access to identifiable patient information, warning of potential damage to public confidence. Concerns persist about the impact on patient trust and the ethical implications of such data sharing.
