In a robust defence of Palantir’s work with the National Health Service (NHS), the company’s UK boss has hit back at accusations of the firm’s unethical practices. The comments come amidst growing scrutiny over Palantir’s government contracts both in the UK and abroad.
Speaking to The Update Desk, Palantir’s UK Managing Director, Louis Mosley, argued that the firm’s data analytics tools have been instrumental in the NHS’s pandemic response. “Our technology has helped the NHS make sense of vast amounts of data, enabling them to make more informed decisions that have undoubtedly saved lives,” Mosley stated.
Palantir, a US-based data mining company, secured a £23 million contract with the NHS last year to assist with the collection and analysis of COVID-19 data. However, the deal has faced criticism from privacy advocates who have raised concerns over the firm’s work with controversial government agencies.
Mosley acknowledged these concerns but insisted that Palantir’s work with the NHS adheres to strict data protection standards. “We take the issue of data privacy extremely seriously,” he said. “All of our work with the NHS is fully compliant with relevant regulations, and we have robust safeguards in place to protect sensitive information.”
The Palantir executive also pushed back against accusations that the firm’s technology has been used to support unethical activities, such as the work carried out by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency and the Israeli military. “We are a technology company, not a policymaker,” Mosley argued. “Our tools are used by a wide range of organisations, and it’s up to those organisations to ensure they are used responsibly.”
Despite the controversy, Mosley remained confident in Palantir’s continued partnership with the NHS, stating that the firm’s data analytics capabilities have been crucial in the UK’s pandemic response. “We are proud to be working with the NHS, and we will continue to support their efforts to protect public health and save lives,” he said.
The debate over Palantir’s government contracts is likely to continue, as the company’s expansion into the UK and other European markets has drawn increasing scrutiny from privacy advocates and human rights groups. However, Mosley’s robust defence of the firm’s work with the NHS suggests that Palantir remains committed to its public sector partnerships, even in the face of growing criticism.
