Exclusive: WhatsApp messages show firm pressuring Zubir Ahmed MP to help bring sensitive data into its platform
Palantir's Covert Lobbying for NHS GP Data Expansion An exclusive investigation has revealed that Palantir, the US-based AI company co-founded by Peter Thiel, engaged in intense lobbying efforts to extend the reach of its AI technology into sensitive NHS General Practitioner (GP) records. This push for broader data access contradicts previous assurances from the government that GP data would be excluded from Palantir’s existing £330 million contract with NHS England for its federated data platform (FDP). WhatsApp messages, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by the tech equity campaign group Foxglove and subsequently shared with The Guardian, document direct communications between Palantir’s UK boss, Louis Mosley, and former health minister Zubir Ahmed. In these exchanges, Palantir explicitly argued that the integration of primary and secondary care data was "unarguable" in its logical benefits and positioned its Foundry software as "ideal" for facilitating this expanded data integration. This highlights a significant effort by the company to influence health policy behind closed doors, potentially bypassing public scrutiny and concerns regarding data privacy. Political Strategy and Opposition to Data Integration The WhatsApp messages also expose Palantir's strategic advice to Minister Ahmed on navigating the political landscape surrounding the integration of GP data. The company urged the minister to preemptively address anticipated "political" resistance from various stakeholders, including doctors and vocal critics such as Green party leader Zack Polanski, and Your Party, led by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana. Palantir underscored the FDP's existing "very strong results" in areas like reducing surgery waiting times and discharge delays, arguing that further ministerial sponsorship would accelerate benefits. However, this private lobbying occurred amidst significant public resistance. Major groups representing doctors and patients, including the British Medical Association, have consistently voiced strong opposition to incorporating GP data into Palantir’s FDP. Their concerns stem from a profound lack of trust in the company, citing its controversial engagements with other governmental bodies like the Israeli military and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These groups emphasize that previous government statements explicitly ruled out the inclusion of GP data in the national platform, making Palantir's lobbying efforts a direct challenge to established policy and public sentiment. Future of Palantir's Contract and National AI Ambitions The revelation of Palantir's lobbying comes at a critical juncture, following reports that the government is unlikely to terminate the company's NHS data management contract prematurely. This decision appears to defy recommendations from campaigners and two House of Commons committees that advocated for Palantir's removal as early as spring. The Financial Times suggested that the contract would likely be extended, driven by concerns that an abrupt withdrawal of Palantir's AI technology would cause significant disruption without a readily available alternative. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper recently addressed parliament, confirming that a review of the contract was underway but also highlighting a long-term vision to foster "UK sovereign AI" development using NHS data, potentially as a future replacement for Palantir by 2029. Further complicating the scenario, a Labour peer, Tom Watson, hired by Palantir as a full-time lobbyist, has also reportedly urged Cooper to maintain the contract, emphasizing Palantir UK's commitment to meeting government social-value tests and contributing to Britain’s technological sovereignty. Palantir's Proposed Benefits Versus Public Trust Concerns In its communications with the health minister, Palantir detailed the purported advantages of applying its Foundry software to GP data. These benefits included claims of "faster access to GPs," "more effective and targeted management of frail patients," and "more effective preventative care." The company also sought to alleviate privacy concerns by asserting that its software platform would "maintain local control of data." However, these assurances clash with the deep-seated apprehension within the medical community and patient advocacy groups. Donald Campbell, director of advocacy at Foxglove, condemned Palantir’s actions, calling it "appalling" that the company was privately pressuring the minister to integrate GP records, especially after explicit government pledges to the contrary. Tom Dolphin, chair of the BMA council, warned against "scope creep" where Palantir could gain access to identifiable personal data in GP records, which he argued could severely "undermine patient trust and threaten the doctor-patient relationship." These criticisms highlight a fundamental tension between the perceived technological benefits offered by Palantir and the imperative to protect patient privacy and maintain public confidence in the NHS's handling of sensitive health information. Calls for Transparency and Palantir's Justification Marc Farr, chair of the NHS Chief Data and Analytical Officers Network, further amplified concerns by stating that Palantir's apparent efforts to expand its work scope beyond ministerial statements on GP data would necessitate legislative changes. Farr stressed the critical importance of public trust and transparency to successfully harness the opportunities presented by technology and data in healthcare. He implicitly suggested that Palantir's clandestine lobbying undermined these essential principles. In response to the revelations, Palantir issued a statement acknowledging its long-standing advocacy for data sharing to improve the NHS for both patients and taxpayers. The company maintained that its software facilitates this by helping different NHS organizations collaborate while ensuring they retain "full local control over their data." Palantir also emphasized that the ultimate decision regarding the software's rollout and scope rests with the government. The Department of Health and Social Care, however, chose to offer no comment on the matter, leaving questions about accountability and future policy direction unanswered in the immediate aftermath of the leaked messages.
Palantir's Covert Lobbying for NHS GP Data Expansion
An exclusive investigation has revealed that Palantir, the US-based AI company co-founded by Peter Thiel, engaged in intense lobbying efforts to extend the reach of its AI technology into sensitive NHS General Practitioner (GP) records. This push for broader data access contradicts previous assurances from the government that GP data would be excluded from Palantir’s existing £330 million contract with NHS England for its federated data platform (FDP). WhatsApp messages, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by the tech equity campaign group Foxglove and subsequently shared with The Guardian, document direct communications between Palantir’s UK boss, Louis Mosley, and former health minister Zubir Ahmed. In these exchanges, Palantir explicitly argued that the integration of primary and secondary care data was "unarguable" in its logical benefits and positioned its Foundry software as "ideal" for facilitating this expanded data integration. This highlights a significant effort by the company to influence health policy behind closed doors, potentially bypassing public scrutiny and concerns regarding data privacy.
Political Strategy and Opposition to Data Integration
The WhatsApp messages also expose Palantir's strategic advice to Minister Ahmed on navigating the political landscape surrounding the integration of GP data. The company urged the minister to preemptively address anticipated "political" resistance from various stakeholders, including doctors and vocal critics such as Green party leader Zack Polanski, and Your Party, led by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana. Palantir underscored the FDP's existing "very strong results" in areas like reducing surgery waiting times and discharge delays, arguing that further ministerial sponsorship would accelerate benefits. However, this private lobbying occurred amidst significant public resistance. Major groups representing doctors and patients, including the British Medical Association, have consistently voiced strong opposition to incorporating GP data into Palantir’s FDP. Their concerns stem from a profound lack of trust in the company, citing its controversial engagements with other governmental bodies like the Israeli military and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These groups emphasize that previous government statements explicitly ruled out the inclusion of GP data in the national platform, making Palantir's lobbying efforts a direct challenge to established policy and public sentiment.
Future of Palantir's Contract and National AI Ambitions
The revelation of Palantir's lobbying comes at a critical juncture, following reports that the government is unlikely to terminate the company's NHS data management contract prematurely. This decision appears to defy recommendations from campaigners and two House of Commons committees that advocated for Palantir's removal as early as spring. The Financial Times suggested that the contract would likely be extended, driven by concerns that an abrupt withdrawal of Palantir's AI technology would cause significant disruption without a readily available alternative. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper recently addressed parliament, confirming that a review of the contract was underway but also highlighting a long-term vision to foster "UK sovereign AI" development using NHS data, potentially as a future replacement for Palantir by 2029. Further complicating the scenario, a Labour peer, Tom Watson, hired by Palantir as a full-time lobbyist, has also reportedly urged Cooper to maintain the contract, emphasizing Palantir UK's commitment to meeting government social-value tests and contributing to Britain’s technological sovereignty.
Palantir's Proposed Benefits Versus Public Trust Concerns
In its communications with the health minister, Palantir detailed the purported advantages of applying its Foundry software to GP data. These benefits included claims of "faster access to GPs," "more effective and targeted management of frail patients," and "more effective preventative care." The company also sought to alleviate privacy concerns by asserting that its software platform would "maintain local control of data." However, these assurances clash with the deep-seated apprehension within the medical community and patient advocacy groups. Donald Campbell, director of advocacy at Foxglove, condemned Palantir’s actions, calling it "appalling" that the company was privately pressuring the minister to integrate GP records, especially after explicit government pledges to the contrary. Tom Dolphin, chair of the BMA council, warned against "scope creep" where Palantir could gain access to identifiable personal data in GP records, which he argued could severely "undermine patient trust and threaten the doctor-patient relationship." These criticisms highlight a fundamental tension between the perceived technological benefits offered by Palantir and the imperative to protect patient privacy and maintain public confidence in the NHS's handling of sensitive health information.
Calls for Transparency and Palantir's Justification
Marc Farr, chair of the NHS Chief Data and Analytical Officers Network, further amplified concerns by stating that Palantir's apparent efforts to expand its work scope beyond ministerial statements on GP data would necessitate legislative changes. Farr stressed the critical importance of public trust and transparency to successfully harness the opportunities presented by technology and data in healthcare. He implicitly suggested that Palantir's clandestine lobbying undermined these essential principles. In response to the revelations, Palantir issued a statement acknowledging its long-standing advocacy for data sharing to improve the NHS for both patients and taxpayers. The company maintained that its software facilitates this by helping different NHS organizations collaborate while ensuring they retain "full local control over their data." Palantir also emphasized that the ultimate decision regarding the software's rollout and scope rests with the government. The Department of Health and Social Care, however, chose to offer no comment on the matter, leaving questions about accountability and future policy direction unanswered in the immediate aftermath of the leaked messages.
