This Guardian opinion article argues that Palantir has become deeply embedded in the British state, especially through its £330 million NHS federated data platform, and says that should alarm the new government. Peter Geoghegan contends that weak regulation, political access and strong media backing helped the US data and surveillance company expand rapidly, while evidence from his investigation raises doubts about whether its NHS technology is delivering the promised benefits.

The piece says NHS England presents the platform as a success, with almost two-thirds of trusts said to be “live” on it since 2024, but internal usage data reportedly show dozens of those trusts had not logged into any FDP app in the past year. It also cites limited uptake of Palantir’s Cancer 360 tool, used by six of roughly 200 trusts in its first nine months, and reports complaints from clinicians and analysts that the system can be slower or less effective than existing tools. Palantir responded that it is only the software provider, that usage decisions are made by NHS trusts, and that its system includes extra security features that make direct comparisons difficult.