UK MPs want Palantir out of NHS data platform, cite risks of overreliance on US tech giant

A House of Commons technology committee has called on the UK government to review Palantir’s involvement in the NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP), a £330 million project consolidating healthcare data across the National Health Service. In a report published Wednesday, MPs warned that heavy reliance on the US-based company poses strategic risks, including reduced control over critical digital infrastructure and exposure to external pressures. The committee recommended activating a break clause in Palantir’s NHS contract in 2027 to explore UK-based alternatives, citing concerns over ‘vendor lock-in’ and potential exploitation by adversaries. Lawmakers described Palantir’s expanding role in healthcare, defense, policing, and financial regulation as an ‘unacceptable point of weakness,’ arguing that overdependence on a single foreign provider undermines public service modernization efforts. Palantir operates under contracts worth hundreds of millions of pounds across UK public sector agencies, including the Ministry of Defence, police forces, and the Financial Conduct Authority. The committee’s report aligns with broader global debates about technology sovereignty and the risks of outsourcing critical data infrastructure to overseas companies. Palantir’s UK chief, Louis Mosley, rejected the recommendations, stating the committee ignored evidence of measurable benefits from its platforms in healthcare, policing, and defense. He argued that removing Palantir from the NHS data program could harm public services, despite ongoing controversies over ethics, procurement, and data governance. Some NHS staff have reportedly objected to the Federated Data Platform, while supporters claim it improves operational efficiency. The debate reflects growing scrutiny of foreign tech providers in public services, with governments worldwide reassessing control over critical data systems. The UK’s reliance on Palantir underscores tensions between leveraging advanced technology and mitigating risks to national security and digital independence.