KHAN BLOCKS £50M MET POLICE PALANTIR AI DEAL

Khan intervened Thursday after the Guardian revealed the Met police had been negotiating with Palantir Technologies to use its artificial intelligence systems for automating intelligence analysis. City Hall determined the procurement process constituted a "clear and serious breach" of established rules, prompting the mayor to halt the agreement. Palantir, a Colorado-based software company founded by Peter Thiel, specializes in data integration and analysis platforms. The firm has faced scrutiny globally over privacy concerns and its work with government and law enforcement agencies. Scotland Yard had not publicly announced the Palantir talks before the Guardian's revelation. The force had been exploring how the company's technology could streamline criminal investigation processes through automated analysis of intelligence data. The intervention represents a significant setback for Palantir's expansion into UK law enforcement. The company has previously worked with UK authorities but this marks a major contract rejection by London's municipal leadership. Khan's decision reflects broader concerns about AI deployment in policing and data governance. The procurement breach suggests the Met police may have bypassed required transparency and competitive bidding procedures. The blocking of the deal comes amid ongoing debate about algorithmic bias in law enforcement and the use of surveillance technology by police forces. Privacy advocates have raised questions about how such systems might affect marginalized communities and civil liberties. It remains unclear whether the Met police will seek to relaunch a compliant procurement process or abandon plans to implement Palantir's technology. A City Hall spokesperson confirmed the decision but did not elaborate on specific procedural violations identified during their review. The incident underscores tensions between technology adoption in policing and municipal oversight of public sector contracts.