Suspicion Machines

Unprecedented experiment on welfare surveillance algorithm reveals discriminationGovernments all over the world are experimenting with predictive algorithms in ways that are largely invisible to the public. What limited reporting there has been on this topic has largely focused on predictive policing and risk assessments in criminal justice systems. But there is an area where even more far-reaching experiments are underway on vulnerable populations with almost no scrutiny.Fraud detection systems are widely deployed in welfare states ranging from complex machine learning models to crude spreadsheets. The scores they generate have potentially life-changing consequences for millions of people. Until now, public authorities have typically resisted calls for transparency, either by claiming that disclosure would increase the risk of fraud or to protect proprietary technology.The sales pitch for these systems promises that they will recover millions of euros defrauded from the public purse.

https://www.lighthousereports.com/investigation/suspicion-machines/