Data analytics company Palantir has launched legal action against London Mayor Sadiq Khan following his decision to veto a new contract between the firm and the Metropolitan Police. The dispute centres on a proposed multi-million-pound deal that would have seen Palantir continue to provide its data analysis platform to the capital's police force. The Mayor's office stated that the veto was made due to concerns over public trust and confidence in the Met's use of data, particularly given the force's recent challenges in rebuilding its reputation.
Palantir's current contract with the Metropolitan Police, which has been in place since 2020, is reportedly valued at around £23 million. The proposed new contract was understood to be significantly larger, potentially worth tens of millions of pounds. The company's software, known as Foundry, is used by the Met to analyse vast amounts of data, aiding in investigations, intelligence gathering, and resource allocation. Proponents argue it is a vital tool for modern policing, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
However, the use of Palantir's technology by public bodies has frequently attracted scrutiny from privacy advocates and civil liberties groups. Concerns have been raised about the potential for mass surveillance, data aggregation, and algorithmic bias. The Mayor's decision to block the new contract appears to reflect these broader anxieties, aligning with his stated commitment to ensuring ethical and transparent data use by the police.
In response to the legal challenge, a spokesperson for the Mayor of London confirmed the receipt of the legal papers. They reiterated that the Mayor's decision was made in the best interests of Londoners, emphasising the need for the Met to regain public trust. The spokesperson added that the Mayor remains committed to ensuring that all technology used by the police is ethical, proportionate, and respects the privacy of citizens.
Palantir, co-founded by Peter Thiel, has a history of working with government agencies globally, including intelligence services and defence departments. The company maintains that its technology is designed with privacy protections built-in and that the Mayor's veto was unlawful and based on an 'incorrect understanding' of how their platform operates. This legal battle highlights the ongoing tension between the perceived benefits of advanced data analytics for public services and the imperative to protect individual rights and maintain public confidence.