Fujitsu, whose software played a central role in the wrongful convictions of many UK postmasters, is now set to create an AI-driven research lab in Andalusia, an autonomous community in southern Spain. The project is part of a broader initiative to digitise the region’s public health sector, focusing on improving disease diagnosis and healthcare efficiency.
The Japanese company was behind the UK Post Office’s faulty Horizon software, which saw over 700 subpostmasters wrongfully convicted of fraud, theft and false accounting. The software misrepresented financial data, resulting in the postmasters being blamed for discrepancies they did not cause. Many of those affected lost their jobs, homes, and even their freedom, with some spending time in prison before the convictions were overturned. This scandal has been named one of the UK’s most high-profile miscarriages of justice and has cast a large shadow over Fujitsu’s new venture in Spain.
Fujitsu has since apologised and committed to compensating the victims, however, many feel the company has not done enough to make amends.
The Japanese company’s critics have now expressed concern over its new venture into the Spanish healthcare system, particularly over its ability to handle sensitive data.
Alan Bates, the founder of the Justice for Subpostmasters campaign – which has fought for the victims of the UK scandal – voiced his unease: “Fujitsu’s involvement in public services should raise alarms,” Mr Bates told The Guardian, reported The Olive Press. “They’ve caused immense harm here in the UK, and yet they seem to be moving forward with little accountability. Spain needs to proceed with caution.”
He added that while Fujitsu has issued public apologies for its role in the scandal, many of the victims are still waiting for full compensation, and the company’s history raises doubts about its ability to manage healthcare data.
Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Bradley, a digital health expert, highlighted the potential risks of allowing a company with such a controversial history to manage sensitive healthcare data.
“Fujitsu’s history with the Horizon system raises legitimate concerns about its ability to handle critical data like medical records,” he said.
“Trust is essential in healthcare, and given their past failures, there are serious questions about whether they are the right fit for this kind of work.”
Fujitsu has repeatedly defended its role in the UK Post Office scandal, stating that the errors in its software were unintentional and that the company has taken steps to ensure its technology is now more reliable. The Japanese company has stressed that lessons have been learned from the mistakes made and that its current technology meets the highest standards of accuracy and security.