The Metropolitan Police Federation (MPF) has announced it is considering legal action against the Metropolitan Police over its deployment of an artificial intelligence tool developed by Palantir Technologies. The tool has been used to flag hundreds of officers for potential misconduct, leading to multiple arrests.
AI Tool Triggers Hundreds of Investigations
Over the weekend, the Met confirmed it had launched hundreds of investigations into officers identified by the AI system. Three individuals have been arrested on suspicion of criminal offences, including abuse of authority for sexual purposes, fraud, sexual assault, rape, and misconduct in public office. Additionally, hundreds of other officers are under investigation or have received prevention notices for offences such as abusing the rota system for financial or personal gain and breaching the force's hybrid working policy.
Police Federation Responds
On Monday, the MPF, which represents over 30,000 frontline police officers in London, condemned the use of the AI technology as an “outrageous and unforgivable invasion of privacy.” The association warned officers not to use work devices when off duty and stated it had not been informed that the AI would be used to analyse the movements of officers in the capital.
Matt Cane, general secretary of the MPF, expressed deep concern over the initiative. “This use of AI will seriously damage the trust Metropolitan Police officers have in the force and ride a coach and horses through already plummeting morale,” he said. He emphasised that while no one wants bad police officers, the use of AI to spy on officers is “not proportionate, just or proper.”
Cane further noted that the federation was aware of plans to upgrade existing Lawful Business Monitoring software but was never informed that the upgrade would include Palantir’s AI capabilities. “This continuous 24/7 geo-location tracking is highly intrusive and risks monitoring officers when they are off duty, on rest days, or at home. This presumption of wrongdoing and attack on officer’s personal lives is unacceptable,” he added.
Privacy and Legal Concerns
The MPF highlighted significant legal and privacy concerns, including potential violations of GDPR and Article 8 of the Human Rights Act, which protects the right to a private life. Cane warned that the AI system could misuse location data to question overtime claims, sickness absence, performance, or conduct without proper fact-finding or context.
“The Federation now advises all members to be extremely cautious about carrying Metropolitan Police issued devices when off duty,” Cane stated. “The Federation is taking urgent legal advice on these matters and will issue further guidance to members in due course if required.”
Background on Palantir
Palantir Technologies, co-founded by billionaire entrepreneur Peter Thiel, is known for providing data analytics to the US Army, the New York Police Department, and ICE. The Met has stated that the technology allows it to consolidate lawfully held data to identify potential standards, welfare, or cultural concerns, particularly following high-profile cases involving rogue officers such as Wayne Couzens, who was jailed for the murder of Sarah Everard.
The Metropolitan Police and Palantir have been contacted for comment.
