UK DWP 'General Matching Service' disability benefits fraud algorithm 

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.