UN food agency renews Palantir deal despite internal audit warnings
The World Food Programme is finalizing a five-year renewal of its contract with Palantir, a US data firm. A leaked 2025 internal audit raised key privacy concerns about allowing Palantir to process data for the UN's largest humanitarian supply chain. The audit was seen by PassBlue and France 24.
The WFP's SCOPE system holds biometric records for millions of aid recipients. Palantir's DOTS software manages this supply-chain data. A leaked August 2025 inspector general audit flagged high-priority privacy gaps and inadequate risk management. A May cyberattack exposed Gaza beneficiary data, though WFP states no direct link to Palantir.
Staff fear beneficiary information could train Palantir's AI models. They also point to Palantir's use in US immigration enforcement and Middle East military operations. A "Tech for Bad" report labels the partnership a conflict of interest and ethical failure. Despite this, WFP confirms the five-year renewal.
The renewal could affect millions of aid recipients whose biometric data is processed by a firm tied to US intelligence and military operations. It may erode trust in the UN's neutrality, potentially discouraging vulnerable populations from registering for assistance. This decision could also set a precedent for other humanitarian agencies, forcing a broader reckoning over whether efficiency gains justify partnering with companies whose technologies are used in conflict zones.