A third of councils are using algorithms to make decisions over welfare claims, despite doubts over their effectiveness. 140 out of 408 councils have invested in contracts with companies who analyse data and provide automated welfare decisions. Many councils have dropped these contracts as they have proved ineffective or made misleading judgements, resulting in delayed welfare payments.
Silkie Carlo, Director of Big Brother Watch, said that this use of algorithms was leaving people at the whim of ‘automated decisions … they have no idea about and can’t challenge.’
Guardian – One in three councils using algorithms to make welfare decisions