Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has joined Palantir as senior vice-president, working to expand the controversial US AI company's public sector contracts in the UK. Palantir is currently defending its £330m NHS contract and £50m Metropolitan Police contract against government and legal challenges. The appointment exemplifies the revolving door between British politics and big tech companies.
England and Wales are introducing digital ID technology for age verification at pubs, bars, and restaurants, allowing customers to prove they're over 18 via facial scanning QR codes on their phones. The system, provided by private companies like Yoti and Luciditi, is voluntary and aims to reduce fraud and protect personal data exposure compared to physical ID checks. The technology may later expand to vape and tobacco purchases.
A cross-party UK parliamentary committee has called for new legislation to address human rights risks from artificial intelligence, arguing existing laws are inadequate. The report cites abuses including non-consensual intimate imagery and unauthorized facial recognition, and recommends an independent AI oversight body with stricter rules for high-risk systems. The government has committed to AI regulation but has not yet introduced a dedicated bill.