Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR) In Discussion To Offer Its Foundry Software For Contact Tracing In The UK

According to sources familiar with the matter, US data analytics company Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR) is in discussion with the UK regarding the provision of contact tracing solutions for COVID-19 cases. Technology from the data-mining company could enhance the contact tracing system currently in use in the UK that has faced challenges.

Palantir to offer Foundry software to trace COVID-19 cases

Officials are reportedly in discussions to employ Palantir’s Foundry software in managing sensitive contact tracing data on the spread of COVID-19. This move comes following the government’s failure to reports around 15,841 positive cases due to an Excel spreadsheet having contact-tracing data reaching its limit and failing to update automatically. Various governments worldwide have launched contact tracing apps successfully. The apps are for alerting users when they come in close contact with someone theta has tested positive for COVID-19. Unfortunately, the UK app failed to record possible exposures due to the wrong threshold due to the setting of a wrong threshold with false alarms sent to people.

Palantir has been lauded as the firm that “knows everything about you,” and surveillance agencies use its software across the globe for spying purposes. A UK Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said that they are committed to ethical and data governance principles. The spokesperson said that people that need personal data for contact tracing purposes will be the only ones accessing it.

No contract yet between Palantir and UK government

So far, no contract has been agreed between the government and the company. Any agreement or work will be an extension of what the UK government is currently doing in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.  Already the Palantir software is currently being employed by various countries in analyzing COVID-19 data. Palantir’s software aggregates the reported cases and tacks medical equipment distribution with the prediction of future hot spots.

There have been privacy concerns about contact tracing programs because they allow geo-location tracking based on one’s health status. The UK government has approved a test-and-trace program, but its software faced technical challenges.