UK DWP 'General Matching Service' disability benefits fraud algorithm
Released: 2019
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In December 2021, The Mirror reported that the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is facing legal action to reveal details of the 'General Matching Service' algorithm it is using to identify benefit fraud.
The Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People (GMCDP) is demanding the DWP reveal how it uses 'AI, algorithmic technology and other forms of automation' when investigating benefit fraud, specifically details of a data matching algorithm that the department is known to use.
The GMCDP alleges that disabled people are being unfairly targeted, are subject to 'essential' cash cuts and are given little or no information about why they are being investigated.
It is the second legal letter sent by the GMCDP on the subject. The first was issued in December 2021.
Early 2021, Privacy International accused the DWP of using 'excessive surveillance techniques' to investigate possible benefit fraudsters.
Operator: Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Developer: Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Country: UK
Sector: Govt - welfare
Purpose: Identify fraud
Technology: Data matching algorithm
Issue: Bias/discrimination - disability
Transparency: Governance; Complaints/appeals; Black box
System
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_for_Work_and_Pensions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Manchester_Coalition_of_Disabled_People
Legal, regulatory
Research, advocacy
News, commentary, analysis
https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/practice-points/algorithmic-transparency-is-not-a-game/5114772.article
https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/dwp-bosses-quizzed-by-mps-over-secret-benefit-fraud-algorithm/
https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3g9n5/how-the-government-spies-on-welfare-claimants
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/dwp-faces-legal-action-reveal-26199571
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/dwp-faces-legal-action-disclose-23062282
Page info
Type: System
Published: February 2022