Palantir and the NHS

Members will have seen that the NHS has awarded its data contract to Palantir, an American CIA-backed data company run by the right wing tech billionaire Peter Thiel who is outspokenly critical of the NHS.

The award has sparked controversy. While Palantir's expertise in data analytics is recognised, critics such as the Good Law Project have concerns about privacy and transparency and worry about the implications of a tech giant handling sensitive health information raising questions about data security and the balance between innovation and safeguarding privacy. The government insists that our data will be “pseudonymous” claiming that identifying details will be removed.

You can opt out of your data being used in this way. It just takes a couple of minutes and you can do it on your phone, tablet or computer. To do so will require your name, date of birth and NHS number (or your postcode if you don’t know it).

Click here to access the NHS data opt out page and scroll down to, and click on, “Set your data opt out choice”. This gives an overview and information on when the opt out doesn’t apply.

Click on “Make Your Choice” then enter your name, date of birth and NHS number or postcode. You will be sent a 6 digit security number to your phone or email address (you choose which).

Enter the security code, select “No” then continue. That’s it, you’re done. You will immediately receive an electronic confirmation.

Alternatively, if you are content with your health data being handled by Palantir you don’t need to do anything.