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People vs Palantir: campaigners stage Gaza ambulance stunt at Palantir's London HQ over NHS data deal

Amnesty International UK and Just Treatment unveiled a bullet-hole-riddled prop ambulance outside Palantir's Soho Square offices, demanding the government not extend the firm's £330m NHS Federated Data Platform role, as "People vs Palantir" action days continue across England.

By Sarah Whitfield · · 2 min read

Amnesty International UK and patient-led campaign group Just Treatment unveiled a life-size replica of a Palestinian ambulance — bodywork torn apart, windows shattered, riddled with bullet holes — outside Palantir’s offices at 20 Soho Square, London, on Wednesday 30 September.

The prop was made to resemble the wreckage of an ambulance caught in an attack by Israeli forces, highlighting Palantir’s stated agreement to supply technology to Israel’s Ministry of Defense. The groups demanded the government not extend Palantir’s role as lead supplier of the NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP); Amnesty UK called the relationship incompatible with NHS values, citing Amnesty International’s finding that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

The stunt opened three internationally coordinated “People vs Palantir” days of action (29 September–1 October); further protests are planned across England on Thursday 1 October — more than 35 towns and cities, including the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. Earlier on Wednesday, hundreds of NHS workers blockaded the entrance to NHS England’s headquarters with placards reading “No Palantir in the NHS” and “Palantir aids apartheid”, PA reported.

Campaigners say 30 September was the contractual deadline for Palantir to hand NHS England an exit plan for the £330m, seven-year deal awarded in November 2023 (initial term ends early next year; extensions of two years, then two one-year terms). Over 44,000 people have filed Article 21 UK GDPR objections to their data being used on the FDP; two Commons select committees have called for the February 2027 break clause; the BMA, UNISON and the Chief Data and Analytics Officers Network oppose or question it; and Labour’s Conference Arrangements Committee blocked a motion on the contract despite 20,000+ members voting to debate it.

Palantir defended its record: 117,000 additional operations, a 14.3% cut in long-stay discharge delays and a 5.6% improvement in cancer diagnosis within 28 days — and says FDP data belongs to the NHS. Executive vice-president Louis Mosley said the technology was used to locate hostages in Gaza, not for military targeting. NHS England said organisations “remain in control of their data within the FDP” and it would “respond to the objection requests in line with data protection law”.

Sources

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