NHS Apologizes as Palantir Gains Access to Identifiable Patient Data: A Privacy Wake-Up Call

The NHS apologized after admitting a limited number of Palantir staff could access identifiable patient records in its Federated Data Platform for testing and debugging.

This contradicted earlier assurances that only pseudonymized data would be used, intensifying concerns over patient privacy and consent.

The disclosure followed whistleblower claims and an internal review, prompting the UK Information Commissioner's Office to open an investigation.

The NHS has suspended non-essential access as scrutiny grows over commercial access to sensitive public health data and emergency “break-glass” controls.