Palantir’s access to identifiable NHS England patient data is ‘dangerous’, MPs say

MPs have raised serious concerns over NHS England’s decision to grant US technology firm Palantir unrestricted access to identifiable patient data as part of its efforts to develop an integrated health data platform using artificial intelligence. Reports indicate that Palantir staff and other contractors were allowed to access sensitive patient information before it was pseudonymised, a move described by some lawmakers as “dangerous” and likely to undermine public trust in data privacy protections. The contract, worth £330 million, aims to consolidate disparate NHS datasets to improve healthcare delivery but has faced criticism over transparency and data security. The NHS’s federated data platform (FDP) holds hundreds of datasets, and the decision to allow “unlimited access to non-NHSE staff” was reportedly made to streamline the process for contractors who previously had to seek individual permissions. While NHS England maintains that strict policies and government security clearances govern data access, internal documents acknowledge significant public concern over the extent of Palantir’s data access. Palantir has stated that although its engineers can view identifiable data during system development, they are not permitted to remove it from NHS systems. The controversy has drawn criticism from patient advocacy groups and MPs alike. The Patients Association highlighted the lack of patient consultation regarding the expanded data access, emphasizing the need for transparency and clear boundaries around who can view personal health information. Labour MP Rachael Maskell, a former NHS worker, called for the project to be halted, warning that increased involvement by a private company in NHS data could expose sensitive information to commercial exploitation and erode public confidence. This development comes amid broader debates over the use of AI and private sector partnerships in public health data management. The NHS’s ambition to harness AI for more efficient healthcare delivery must be balanced against safeguarding patient privacy and maintaining public trust, especially given Palantir’s controversial track record supporting government agencies in immigration enforcement and military operations. The unfolding situation underscores the challenges of integrating advanced technology into healthcare while ensuring ethical and secure handling of sensitive data.