Daniella Lock @daniellalock.bsky.social · 19/09/2026democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-f...democracyforsale.substack.comRevealed: Five police forces to drop Palantir surveillance toolExclusive: Palantir's UK policing ambitions take a hit as East Midlands forces end their involvement in a controversial data pilot. 040
Reposted by Daniella LockLondon Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 18/09/2026‘Palantir was willing to spend more on securing political access than almost all of its British and Continental competitors. It made donations to London think tanks and hosted parties at Davos.’ @petergeoghegan.bsky.social and @lucasamin.bsky.social, from July: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...lrb.co.ukPeter Geoghegan and Lucas Amin · ‘This looks absolutely rubbish’: Palantir and the NHSA decade ago Palantir was largely unknown in the UK. It now holds public contracts worth hundreds of millions of pounds... 14525
Reposted by Daniella LockSteve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 18/09/2026MI5 admits its evidence was based on lies, in case concerning neo-Nazi informant who attacked his partner www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukMI5 accepts it gave evidence based on lies in neo-Nazi spy caseIt is the first time MI5 has confirmed the BBC's revelation that it gave evidence based on lies in court while defending the violent informant. 13516
Reposted by Daniella LockOpen Rights Group @openrightsgroup.org · 14/09/2026Coming up this week 🔔 It's the first of a series of townhall events delivered by the #SafetyNotSurveillance coalition. Join us in London to explore how AI and ‘crime-predicting’ technologies are currently being used by the Met. 🗓️ Thurs 17 September 🕕 6-9pm 📍The Liberation Centre Register now ⬇️openrightsgroup.orgSafety Not Surveillance London TownhallJoin the #SafetyNotSurveillance coalition in London as we explore how AI and ‘crime-predicting’ technologies are currently being used by the Met, the harms and risks of their continues roll out, and w... 044
Reposted by Daniella LockKetan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 14/08/2026This is the coverage of Arday **just in the Telegraph** in the UK. This is only the first four pages of results, just in one outlet. 17455942065
Daniella Lock @daniellalock.bsky.social · 05/08/2026'In 2024 the company paid just £2.1m in UK corporation tax, despite declaring profits of over £25m, giving an effective tax rate of just over 8%' www.theguardian.com/technology/2...theguardian.comPalantir paid just £2m corporation tax in UK in 2024 despite lucrative public sector contractsSoftware group benefits from global systems and accounting practices ‘that enable tax to be shirked’, says union boss 030
Reposted by Daniella LockLondon Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 02/08/2026‘Palantir’s market capitalisation has risen to $320 billion, 150 times earnings. The 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵 has speculated that “Palantir might be the most overvalued firm of all time.”’ @petergeoghegan.bsky.social and @lucasamin.bsky.social on Palantir’s NHS contract. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...lrb.co.ukPeter Geoghegan and Lucas Amin · ‘This looks absolutely rubbish’: Palantir and the NHSA decade ago Palantir was largely unknown in the UK. It now holds public contracts worth hundreds of millions of pounds... 1052263965
Reposted by Daniella LockAlan Greene @alangreene.bsky.social · 27/07/2026This was carried out before Palestine Action was proscribed. Will judges be applying a similar approach to the actions of, for example, Just Stop Oil or Extinction Rebellion? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...theguardian.comPalestine Action activists face being sentenced as terrorists over bank damageExclusive: Judge intends to consider ‘terrorist connection’ after convicting five for damage to Barclays in Burnley 2137
Reposted by Daniella LockPaul F Scott @paulfscott.bsky.social · 23/07/2026'As can be seen from the OPEN gists of these [2006] authorisations, none of them identifies that Mr K is a journalist, nor that the data sought will reveal journalistic sources, nor that any heightened test applies as a consequence of these things.' investigatorypowerstribunal.org.uk/judgement/bb...investigatorypowerstribunal.org.ukBBC & Kearney and Moore v PSNI and Others - The Investigatory Powers TribunalBBC & Kearney and Moore v PSNI and Others - The Investigatory Powers Tribunal 021
Reposted by Daniella LockNetpol @netpol.org · 22/07/2026Barristers and solicitors come together tonight to organise an event in solidarity with Rajiv Menon, the defence lawyer who faces contempt of court charges for daring to mention that juries are independent when speaking for a Palestine Action client. 🕠 Starts 5.30 us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... 074
Reposted by Daniella LockThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 21/07/2026The new Health Secretary took more than £165,000 from donors linked with the private healthcare sector, it has emerged 35253175
Reposted by Daniella LockPaul F Scott @paulfscott.bsky.social · 16/07/2026'Sir John’s conclusions make stark reading. His report outlines a series of failings both individually and organisationally within MI5 that led to false evidence being included in its witness statements.' questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...questions-statements.parliament.ukWritten statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK ParliamentInformation from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports. 022
Reposted by Daniella LockPeter Jukes @peterjukes.bsky.social · 15/07/2026“I investigated Palantir’s foothold in the British state – and what I found should worry us all” @petergeoghegan.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comI investigated Palantir’s foothold in the British state – and what I found should worry us all | Peter GeogheganPaid-for political access and threadbare regulations have helped to embed the US tech firm in the NHS – and beyond. But there is a way to free ourselves, says Peter Geoghegan of Democracy for Sale 20643391
Reposted by Daniella LockPrivate Eye Magazine @privateeyenews.bsky.social · 13/07/2026For all its professed commitment to “sovereign” tech capability, the UK government is remarkably ready to waive the rules to accommodate US data company Palantir. 🧵1/4 35405197
Reposted by Daniella LockPaul F Scott @paulfscott.bsky.social · 12/07/2026'A statement from the Hillsborough Law campaign confirmed: "The Government has now conceded that there will be no carve-outs, no exemptions for security services or anyone else...' But not clear if amendments will be made in Commons or Lords - not published as of now. 176
Reposted by Daniella LockPaul F Scott @paulfscott.bsky.social · 08/07/2026The National Security (State Threats) Act is now law: www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2026/2...legislation.gov.uk 013
Reposted by Daniella LockTransition Security Project @transitionsec.bsky.social · 06/07/2026“The findings cast doubt on claims by Starmer and his chancellor, Rachel Reeves, that they are boosting British jobs by reallocating large chunks of government spending to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).” Our new analysis in @theguardian.com 👇 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comInfrastructure cuts to pay for defence will cost UK 10,000 jobs, analysis showsExclusive: Findings cast doubt on Starmer claims that reallocation of funds to MoD will boost British jobs 055
Reposted by Daniella LockVerfassungsblog @verfassungsblog.de · 06/07/2026In the Palestine Action case, the defendants broke into an Israeli defence company in the UK, causing millions in damage. FREDERICK ATTENBOROUGH explains how the judge, rather than a jury, declared their actions to be terrorist acts. verfassungsblog.de/palestine-ac... 087
Reposted by Daniella LockJosiah Mortimer @josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 02/07/2026All MPs' outside earnings by party: The Conservatives come out top at 66% of total earnings from second jobs, while Reform (with just eight MPs) account for 20%, and Labour (with 400+) just 7%. But taking into account their size, Reform has by far the highest outside earnings per MP of any party. 10223152
Daniella Lock @daniellalock.bsky.social · 02/07/2026More NHS money for big pharma? This deal is baffling which is presumably why the government is implementing it in such an undemocratic way. Starmer’s goodbye gift to Britain: a US pharma deal that could be more lethal than Covid | Aditya Chakrabortty www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comStarmer’s goodbye gift to Britain: a US pharma deal that could be more lethal than Covid | Aditya ChakraborttyThe deal on medicine imports will cost the NHS billions and take funding away from doctors, nurses, cancer scans and the rest, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty 123
Reposted by Daniella LockOpen Rights Group @openrightsgroup.org · 02/07/2026What is life after Palantir? Join our special event on how the UK can build back control over our digital infrastructure, data and tech with open source. Hear from @jim.killock.org.uk, @megafreda.eurosky.social and Jordan Maris discuss Digital Sovereignty. 🗓️ 15 July 🕧️ 6-8pm BST 💻️ Online ⬇️ Sign upopenrightsgroup.orgFrom Digital Dependence to Digital SovereigntyThe UK’s over reliance on a small number of foreign technology companies is putting our economy, security and democracy at risk. 046
Daniella Lock @daniellalock.bsky.social · 02/07/2026'Billions that could be spent on ... improving our hospital care are set to be siphoned off by corporate giants in the pharma industry' US-UK drug deal could result in 229,000 excess deaths in England, analysis suggests www.theguardian.com/society/2026...theguardian.comUS-UK drug deal could result in 229,000 excess deaths in England, analysis suggestsAnalysis reveals extent of impact on NHS of placating Donald Trump over price of British medicine exports 010
Reposted by Daniella LockJonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 30/06/2026Summary of the Home Office Impact Assessment for Asylum Bill is hilarious (if it weren't so depressing). HO analysts say "basically no evidence to suggest *any* of these policies will work *even on their own terms*" (but will probably cost money). assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a43e1... 10319166
Reposted by Daniella LockJacobin @jacobinmag.bsky.social · 29/06/2026Defenders of the private equity industry cast it as a bold force driving economic dynamism. But its record of destroying public services is no accident: private equity is essentially an elite project to profit from asset-stripping.jacobin.comThe Damage Caused by Private Equity Is No AccidentDefenders of the private equity industry cast it as a bold force driving economic dynamism. But its record of destroying public services is no accident: private equity is essentially an elite project to profit from asset-stripping. 1258
Reposted by Daniella LockLaleh Khalili @lalehkhalili.bsky.social · 29/06/2026One of our alumni actually made this graph to illustrate that Exeter's financial position is totally solid: 15223
Reposted by Daniella LockAbby Innes @abbyinnes.bsky.social · 29/06/2026PE insists it uses debt leverage ’responsibly’, by which they mean a high rate of return for investors. But if you asset strip public services, raise prices for goods and services and minimise investment it’s a dead end - you kill the real economy in the process. www.theguardian.com/business/ng-...theguardian.comGood for business – or profit at any cost? The controversial side of private equity – a visual explainerThe use of private equity in essential services is attracting scrutiny. Here we examine some of its more contentious elements 01410
Reposted by Daniella LockPaul F Scott @paulfscott.bsky.social · 25/06/2026And the Constitution Committee has reported on the Bill: publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5902/ld... 023
Reposted by Daniella LockCorporate Europe Observatory (CEO) @corporateeurope.org · 23/06/2026🚨 This is what corporate capture looks like While business interests already have unprecedented access, tech CEO's are now calling for direct access to Ursula von der Leyen. Their demand? To speed up the Commission's radical deregulation agenda. 👉 corporateeurope.org/en/2026/04/w...politico.euEuropean tech CEOs want direct line to craft EU policyCEOs of Airbus, ASML, Ericsson and others have von der Leyen’s attention to push for deregulation, consolidation. 32220
Daniella Lock @daniellalock.bsky.social · 19/06/2026This new ruling sets out a bizarre episode where Government Legal Department reps entered the safe of a Special Advocate without their permission on national security grounds, in the lead up to a hearing concerning a Guantanamo detainee accusing the UK gov of complicity in torture. 100
Reposted by Daniella LockColin Murray @colinmurray.bsky.social · 18/06/2026The EWCA's Ammori decision marks a dismal low in the courts' scrutiny of national security issues. In a new post on @verfassungsblog.de, @alangreene.bsky.social, @daniellalock.bsky.social and I examine the depressing tricks by which rights protections disappear: verfassungsblog.de/palestine-ac... 11613
Daniella Lock @daniellalock.bsky.social · 18/06/2026Here are some thoughts on the new Court of Appeal Palestine Action ruling, written with @alangreene.bsky.social and @colinmurray.bsky.social for @verfassungsblog.de verfassungsblog.de/palestine-ac... 26131
Reposted by Daniella LockAlan Greene @alangreene.bsky.social · 18/06/2026Myself, @daniellalock.bsky.social, and @colinmurray.bsky.social on the Court of Appeal's Palestine Action judgment. verfassungsblog.de/palestine-ac...verfassungsblog.deThe Judiciary Exits the Scene 0114
Reposted by Daniella LockHettie O’Brien @hettieobrien.bsky.social · 11/06/2026Some of the most exciting thinking about political economy in Britain has come out of PERC. Its closure is a huge loss and an indictment of the state of UK academia www.goldperc.uk/project_post...goldperc.ukLooking back on PERC - Political Economy Research CentreThe Political Economy Research Centre is to close formally this summer. Here, founding Director, Will Davies, reflects on its twelve years of activity. It took two or three years before the causes, ef... 03420
Reposted by Daniella LockUlrike Franke @rikefranke.eu · 08/06/2026FT editorial board argues in favour of reducing dependencies from US suppliers. giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Britain’s questionable reliance on Palantirgiftarticle.ft.comBritain’s questionable reliance on PalantirGovernment should use the best technology for any task, but be wary of ‘lock-ins’ 212338
Reposted by Daniella LockHolli Sargeant @hollisargeant.bsky.social · 03/06/2026“Remember that all models are wrong; the practical question is how wrong they have to be to not be useful.” Usually treated as a technical question, in my new article in the Modern Law Review, I argue it is also a legal one. doi.org/10.1111/1468... 2155
Daniella Lock @daniellalock.bsky.social · 03/06/2026An excellent new report from the Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee is just out. It includes a case study on Palantir and describes the company's increasing presence within the UK state as an 'unacceptable point of weakness' committees.parliament.uk/publications... 040
Reposted by Daniella LockThe Constitution Society @consoc.bsky.social · 22/05/2026⏰ ⏰ ⏰ There's one week left to apply for our (paid) summer research fellowship examining the position of protest within the UK Constitution. Full details at: consoc.org.uk/protest-fell... Please share widely and consider applying, but don't leave it too much longer! ⏰ ⏰ ⏰consoc.org.ukFellowship on Protest and the Constitution: Apply Now - The Constitution SocietyThe Constitution Society invites applications for a three‑month Fellowship exploring the position of protest in the UK constitution. 045
Reposted by Daniella LockNetpol @netpol.org · 17/05/2026UN Special Rapporteur Gina Romero last week said of Labour's new Crime and Policing Act: “criminalisation of face coverings is especially problematic amidst intensified surveillance, as anonymity is often essential to protect privacy and prevent chilling effects” www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel... 01310
Reposted by Daniella LockCarole Cadwalladr @carolecadwalla.bsky.social · 25/04/2026Correct! It’s techfascist favourite, Palantir. We’ve found a revolving door of UK officials who’ve gone from the highest levels of government into Peter Thiel’s firm. Transparency experts describe it as an ‘acute risk’ for corruption www.thenerve.news/p/palantir-r... 7253118
Daniella Lock @daniellalock.bsky.social · 23/04/2026“We don’t need £100m AI,” a source said. “We would like the more basic systems we already have to work properly" Met police in talks to buy Palantir AI tech for use in criminal investigations www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...theguardian.comMet police in talks to buy Palantir AI tech for use in criminal investigationsExclusive: Internal concerns over allowing US firm linked to ICE and Israeli military to process highly sensitive data 000
Daniella Lock @daniellalock.bsky.social · 14/04/2026Not a moment too soon, @openrightsgroup.org's new report just out on the UK's irrational overreliance on US tech to run our most basic public services. It contains lots of recommendations for freeing our most intimate infrastructure from companies like Palantir and Amazon. 020
Daniella Lock @daniellalock.bsky.social · 07/04/2026'Investors have played extravagant games with our vital infrastructure, while regulators have been cut back...This all reflects a darker turn towards an economy where debt-driven speculation has become one of the most dominant routes to building wealth' www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comWant to know capitalism’s endgame? Just look at private equity – it has captured our everyday lives | Hettie O'BrienThese companies now own everything from nurseries to care homes, squeezing vital services for profit while we foot the bill, says Hettie O’Brien, author of The Asset Class: How Private Equity Turned C... 174
Reposted by Daniella LockCommon Wealth @cmmonwealth.bsky.social · 24/03/2026“The govt has ruled out [nationalising] water, citing an est. £90bn cost. Campaigners point out this is based on water industry analysis ... a report by Common Wealth last year put the real cost at ‘close to zero’.” Our report by @ewanmg.bsky.social in @bigissue.com www.bigissue.com/news/social-...bigissue.comWater bills are rising and thousands are planning not to payThe Take Back Water campaign has seen thousands of people vow they will not pay their water bill until the government returns water to public ownership. 1118
Daniella Lock @daniellalock.bsky.social · 23/03/2026Prof Michael Levi...said...AI is a potentially valuable technology to tackle financial crimes. But he said it was “a relevant question as to whether Palantir’s owners might tipoff their friends about methodologies” shorturl.at/apefctheguardian.comPalantir extends reach into British state as it gets access to sensitive FCA dataExclusive: Allowing US tech firm to analyse intelligence in name of tackling fraud raises fresh concerns over privacy 0154
Daniella Lock @daniellalock.bsky.social · 20/03/2026An FOI clampdown would be the perfect signal to officials that they will be even less accountable, and even more able to act for private rather than public interests. UK considers FOI clampdown as requests soar - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FTgiftarticle.ft.comUK considers FOI clampdown as requests soarMoves to tighten system likely to be met with resistance from campaigners 154
Reposted by Daniella LockTHE NERVE @thenerve.news · 19/03/2026NEW Is Palantir in your pension? Investigation reveals UK organisations – including some of Britain’s biggest retirement providers – had investments in Silicon Valley’s controversial technology company of more than £5bn at the end of 2025 @carolecadwalla.bsky.social and Ian Tucker report 1/🧵 510267
Daniella Lock @daniellalock.bsky.social · 09/03/2026Revealed: UK’s multibillion AI drive is built on ‘phantom investments’ www.theguardian.com/technology/2...theguardian.comRevealed: UK’s multibillion AI drive is built on ‘phantom investments’Exclusive: Rented datacentres and unrealised supercomputer site raise questions for Starmer’s push to ‘mainline AI into veins of economy’ 011
Daniella Lock @daniellalock.bsky.social · 09/03/2026A 'closed' oversight report on a seismic issue such as the SIA's use of cloud technologies (i.e relying on AWS' cloud for our most security-sensitive data) is of limited value for the public. No reason has yet been given why the whole thing -including info on safeguards - should be closed. 010