UK DITCHES PALANTIR FOR HOMEGROWN REFUGEE SYSTEM

The Home Office has completed the transition to its own platform for managing asylum and refugee cases, ending a contract with Palantir Technologies. The decision comes after years of scrutiny over the company's involvement in government immigration systems. Palantir's software had been used to process sensitive applicant data, raising concerns from civil rights groups about algorithmic bias and data handling practices. The government's new system was built in-house by the UK's technology and data teams. Officials claim the replacement system will improve efficiency while reducing dependency on external vendors. The transition involved migrating existing case files and retraining staff on the new platform. The move reflects broader tensions in the UK around data privacy and the use of private contractors for sensitive government functions. It also aligns with discussions across Western governments about controlling critical infrastructure and citizen data domestically rather than outsourcing to private firms.