A Guardian investigation reveals that US defense contractor Palantir has secured extensive British public contracts, including a controversial £330 million NHS deal, through paid-for political access and weak regulatory oversight. The science, innovation and technology committee has called on the incoming government to terminate the relationship, citing concerns that the surveillance tech firm conflicts with UK values, though the company maintains support from major British media outlets.
Why it matters: As governments worldwide grapple with AI procurement and data governance, this case highlights critical gaps in how democracies vet and oversee foreign tech vendors with surveillance capabilities in sensitive public institutions.