The rollout of Palantir follows a wider programme to improve culture in the Met after the BBC Panorama investigation Undercover in the Police, which exposed toxic behaviours at Charing Cross police station.
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “This is the Met using technology, data and stronger legal powers to confront poor behaviour, raise standards and fix our foundations as our communities would expect.”
Palantir is now widely used across the UK public sector, holding major contracts with the NHS, Ministry of Defence, police forces and financial regulators, and significantly expanding its UK presence.
However, the company has faced backlash over its role in the public sector, with Labour MP Emily Darlington telling the BBC earlier this month that a “foreign tech company” handling NHS patient data represented “a major security risk”.
Mayor Sadiq Khan said he had no role in approving the contract between the Met and Palantir as it fell below the £500,000 scrutiny threshold.
However, a spokesperson for the mayor added: “As a general point the mayor would have concerns about using public money to support firms who act contrary to London’s values.”
The Police Federation said it is now considering legal action over the implementation of Palantir, accusing the force of undermining officers’ right to a private life under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act, as well as GDPR protections.