NYC Hospitals Face Backlash Over $4M Palantir Contract

Controversial data firm's ties to ICE and military raise privacy concerns for patient data

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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New York City's public hospital system, NYC Health and Hospitals (NYCHH), is facing scrutiny over a nearly $4 million contract with Palantir, a data analytics firm with a history of involvement in immigration enforcement, mass surveillance, and military operations. The deal allows Palantir to work with patients' protected health information, sparking debates about data privacy and the ethics of partnering with such a controversial company.

Why it matters

The Palantir contract raises fundamental questions about data privacy, ethical responsibility, and the potential for mission creep as data analytics firms with ties to law enforcement and intelligence agencies become more involved in sensitive sectors like healthcare. There are concerns that this could erode public trust and negatively impact vulnerable populations seeking care.

The details

The contract allows Palantir to work with patients' protected health information (PHI), even utilizing de-identified data for purposes beyond research. While de-identification is a common practice, activists point to research demonstrating the relative ease with which such data can be re-identified. This raises concerns about the potential for sensitive patient information to fall into the wrong hands. Palantir's involvement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its past work with mass surveillance programs and the Israeli military also draw criticism from advocacy groups.

  • The contract has been in place since 2023.

The players

NYC Health and Hospitals (NYCHH)

New York City's public hospital system that administers over 70 facilities and provides care for over 1 million New Yorkers annually.

Palantir

A data analytics firm with a controversial history of involvement in immigration enforcement, mass surveillance, and military operations.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, whose office did not respond to requests for comment regarding the Palantir contract.

Kenny Morris

An organizer with the American Friend Service Committee who criticized Palantir's involvement with the hospital system.

Beth Haroules

A representative from the New York Civil Liberties Union who expressed concerns about patient data privacy.

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What they’re saying

“It's unacceptable that the same company that is targeting our neighbors for deportation and providing tools to the Israeli military is also providing software for our hospitals.”

— Kenny Morris, Organizer, American Friend Service Committee

“Every New Yorker, without exception, has a right to quality healthcare and city services. New Yorkers must be able to seek healthcare without fear that their intimate medical information…will be delivered to the federal government on a silver platter.”

— Beth Haroules, Representative, New York Civil Liberties Union

What’s next

The mayor's office has not responded to requests for comment on the Palantir contract, and it remains to be seen if the city will take any action to address the growing concerns from advocacy groups and the public.

The takeaway

The Palantir contract with NYC's public hospital system highlights the broader trend of data analytics firms with ties to law enforcement and intelligence agencies becoming more involved in sensitive sectors like healthcare, raising serious questions about data privacy, ethical responsibility, and the potential impact on vulnerable populations.