B-SIDE: The Palantir Files
Summary
Quiet Riot B-side hosts Alex, Naomi, and Kenny interview investigative journalist Peter Gagan about his London Review of Books article on Palantir’s £330 million NHS contract. They discuss the company’s origins with Peter Thiel, its opaque lobbying via Peter Mandelson’s Global Counsel, and concerns over data privacy and vendor lock-in. The episode critiques the software’s limited utility and questions whether the UK government is ceding critical public infrastructure to a US firm with conflicting political loyalties.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Peter Gagan on Palantir and Peter Thiel
What Palantir actually does: Software, not AI
Palantir's defense roots and political ideology
Palantir's lobbying strategy and UK expansion
Global Council and the secret 'Project Onion'
The NHS contract and vendor lock-in concerns
Criticism of the Federated Data Platform (FTP)
Political risks and data protection laws
Alternatives to Palantir and past NHS failures
The Homes for Ukraine contract and Andy Burnham
Outsourcing, best value, and social value
Cognitive capture and procurement regulations
Ad break: USAA insurance
Global consolidation and loss of state expertise
Conclusion: Trusting tech giants with democracy
Good news: Dog rescued on Ben Nevis
Outro: Live show announcement and credits
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