A regional policing unit focused on serious and organised crime, the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (Emsou), has decided to discontinue its use of software from the US tech firm Palantir.
The decision follows a two-year trial that began in October 2024, during which Emsou explored how Palantir's AI-enabled software could aid crime investigations while maintaining ethical standards.
Emsou confirmed that data from Leicestershire Police was fed into Palantir's Foundry operating system, which utilises artificial intelligence and machine learning. Regional Assistant Chief Constable Ian Green stated that the trial was conducted with strict checks and independent review, but the unit opted not to renew the contract after its Home Office funding concluded.
Palantir will now be required to demonstrate that it has severed all connections with Emsou's systems and deleted all associated data. Amnesty International UK welcomed Emsou's decision, with Oliver Feeley-Sprague, its military, security and policy director, stating that "Palantir has become a growing liability for any public body that values human rights and public confidence."