Palantir Will No Longer Profit Off of New Yorkers' Health Data
3 hours ago
- #Authoritarianism
- #Palantir
- #Public Health
- New York City's public hospital system ends its multimillion-dollar contract with Palantir, a military contractor, following controversy.
- Palantir's software was used for data analysis to improve billing efficiency for Medicaid and public benefits, involving automated scanning of patient health notes.
- Activists protested the contract due to Palantir's involvement in military targeting, surveillance, and immigration enforcement.
- NYC Health + Hospitals CEO Mitchell Katz stated the contract was always intended as a short-term solution and will not be renewed.
- Data analysis tasks handled by Palantir will be moved in-house after the contract expires.
- Critics, including the American Friends Service Committee, argue Palantir should have no role in public institutions due to its controversial activities.
- The article also discusses broader concerns about authoritarianism and threats to democracy under Trump's administration.
- The Intercept emphasizes the importance of independent journalism in defending democracy and calls for support to expand reporting capacity.