NHS staff push back against using 'ethically bankrupt' Palantir software, say 'it doesn't do anything new for us'

Date:
Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:25:00 +0000

Description:
Some NHS workers are refusing to use Palantir software over the company's
ties to controversial activity.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Pro Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are
now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter NHS workers boycott Palantir software, saying it links them to endorsing the company Government reportedly considered a break clause amid the backlash However, UK's FCA just awarded Palantir a
trial contract A growing number of NHS staff in the UK are reportedly
refusing to use Palantir's Federated Data Platform (FDP), according to claims from Financial Times , which reports informal boycotts from both clinical and non-clinical staff.

The biggest pushbacks come from ethical concerns over Palantir's ties to US defense and intelligence agencies, as well as immigration enforcement and other controversial geopolitical activity. There are also ongoing concerns over privacy and data governance when it comes to sensitive NHS patient data. Article continues below You may like 'Very significant privacy concerns': UK hands over financial regulation data to Palantir to help tackle financial crime Palantir to continue UK Ministry of Defense work in new three-year deal
240 million 'data analytics' contract awarded without procurement Palantir awarded $1 billion DHS contract for AI and data analytics rollout Palantir's position in the NHS criticized from within As well as the above, there's also an ongoing push across Europe and the UK to reduce reliance on US tech firms the US-headquartered company is clearly an indirect target in this geopolitically-influenced trend.

The report notes groups like the British Medical Association (BMA) are encouraging resistance to Palantir's software, with campaigners arguing that using the platform essentially endorses the company.

Politicians have already responded to the backlash, agreeing in part with
what campaigners stand for.

MPs say the criticism is about value, transparency and trust not necessarily ideology and as such, the UK government could be considering a break clause in the contract amid the backlash. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news
and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Together, the NHS and Palantir's FDP claim to have opened up tens of
thousands of new operations, reduced wait times and improved scheduling, by combining multiple data sources into one central database.

However, while politicians seem to be reacting to NHS workers' arguments, Palantir's footprint is far from disappearing in the UK, with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) awarding the US tech firm a three-month contract
ahead of what could potentially be a much bigger contract. Follow TechRadar
on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/nhs-staff-push-back-against-using-ethically-bank rupt-palantir-software-say-it-doesnt-do-anything-new-for-us


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)