Gladsaxe vulnerable children detection

Gladsaxe was a predictive analytics system used by Denmark's Gladsaxe municipality to identify and assess children at risk from abuse. 

Released in 2018, the so-called "Gladsaxe Mode" or "EVA" (Early Vulnerability Assessment) consisted of custom algorithms drawing on parental health records, unemployment, missed medical and dental appointments and other data provided locally and by Denmark's Udbetaling Danmark benefits agency to produce a points-based risk assessment. 

Mental illness counted for 3000 points, unemployment 500 points, missing a doctor’s appointment 1000 points and a dentist’s appointment 300 points. 

System 🤖

Documents 📃


Transparency and accountability 🙈

The Gladsaxe system raised concerns regarding transparency and accountability.

Risks and harms 🛑

The Gladsaxe model algorithm is seen to have posed risks of privacy invasion, misidentification and potential bias, leading to unwarranted interventions and stigmatisation. 

Incidents and issues 🔥

Page info
Type: Incident
Published: December 2018
Last updated: June 2024