Palantir Technologies Inc., a controversial data analytics company, is facing an investigation by the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) over potential contract breaches. The investigation comes just a week after Palantir secured a deal with the NHS to develop a patient data platform.
The issue at hand revolves around an influencer marketing campaign initiated by Palantir to combat criticism of its work. The campaign was intended to address data privacy concerns, but it was not cleared with NHS England, violating the contract’s terms. The contract mandates that any marketing activities must receive prior written consent from the NHS.
The campaign, handled by Topham Guerin, has raised concerns about Palantir’s handling of private medical data. Patient advocacy groups, notably the Good Law Project, have expressed reservations about the company’s involvement in managing sensitive patient information. The Good Law Project has been critical of Palantir, questioning the transparency of its data processing platform. In response, Palantir has accused the organization of spreading misinformation about its work.
Palantir, co-founded by billionaire Peter Thiel, labeled the influencer campaign as an “exploratory project” that did not materialize. However, the NHS takes any potential breach seriously and is conducting an investigation into the incident. The contract explicitly states that Palantir cannot make press announcements or reference the NHS in marketing campaigns without prior consent.
The investigation will shed light on whether Palantir’s actions align with the contractual terms and how the company has managed the delicate balance between public perception and data management. It adds complexity to Palantir’s already scrutinized role in reshaping the NHS patient data system.
Palantir, which is no longer working with Topham Guerin, won the contract with Accenture Plc to build the Federated Data Platform for the NHS. The £330 million ($419 million) endeavor has faced criticism from patient advocacy groups concerned about data security and the lack of transparency surrounding the platform’s processing of patient information.
The outcome of the investigation will determine whether Palantir will face any consequences for its potential contract breaches. For now, the NHS is taking the matter seriously and ensuring that all parties involved adhere to the agreed-upon terms.
