UK MPs Question Palantir Contracts Amid Swiss Investigation and Security Concerns
UK Members of Parliament have raised concerns over government contracts with technology firm Palantir following a Swiss investigation that brought to light security issues and questions about data access. The investigation, conducted by Swiss media outlets WAV and Republik, highlighted doubts about Palantir's suitability and the risk that US authorities might access data handled by the company due to its US base.
An internal assessment by the Swiss army reportedly concluded it was unclear whether data shared with Palantir could be accessed by US intelligence, a finding journalists described as explosive. Despite pursuing contracts in Switzerland since 2018, Palantir faced multiple rejections, including a 2020 bid to provide the army's IT intelligence system and at least nine other unsuccessful attempts. Switzerland's Federal Office of Public Health chose not to contract Palantir for pandemic response, opting instead for a competitor. Meeting notes reveal the FOPH explicitly demanded questioning Palantir over communications issues.
In contrast, the UK Ministry of Defence signed its first Palantir contract for data tools worth £75 million in 2024. Less than a year after the Swiss report, the UK military reportedly agreed to a £750 million deal to enhance military AI and innovation involving Palantir's technology.
British MPs Clive Lewis and Rachael Maskell have since called for transparent due diligence processes and stronger parliamentary oversight concerning big-tech contracts and ethics, including those involving the National Health Service. Palantir has disputed the Swiss army report's claims about potential US intelligence access to data, stating there is no basis for such claims and emphasizing customers maintain control over their data through contractual, procedural, and technical measures.
The Swiss findings have contributed to a broader European cautious stance towards US software in public services. For instance, Germany's Sinan Selen warned against reliance on US software, and politician Konstantin von Notz urged the German interior minister to distance Germany from Palantir.
