TO THE CHAIR OF THE ROYAL DEVON UNIVERSITY HEALTHCARE TRUST

Palantir, a US based data analytics firm, are supporting genocide and have profited from occupation and apartheid in Palestine.  In January 2024 Palantir signed a new contract with the Israeli Occupation Forces and the partnership has strengthened since the assault on Gaza. 

Palantir has also been criticised for its opaque operations and involvement in surveillance activities. The involvement of a company like Palantir raises significant privacy and ethical concerns due to its handling of patient data. Palantir cannot be trusted with our data. 

The initial UK NHS contract with Palantir’s Federated Data Platform (FDP) is up for review in early 2027.  The FDP is not mandatory and local health bodies can decline to implement at local level.  On 3rd June this year the cross-party House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee called for the government to terminate NHS England's contract with Palantir because the company supports “highly controversial policies and activities.” 
 
Palantir’s complicity in human rights abuses is not consistent with the ethical values of the NHS and its staff.  We call on Royal Devon University Healthcare Trust to halt any use of Palantir's FDP.