Image by Wesley Fryer, from Flickr
UK Government AI Tools Face Scrutiny Over Bias Concerns
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
The Guardian reported today that the UK government will soon publish details of AI tools used across various public sectors, following concerns about discrimination, or unconscious bias, that’s embedded in these technologies.
The decision to disclose these AI tools comes after pressure from transparency campaigners , who have raised alarms over possible discriminatory practices within the algorithms used with these systems. These AI tools have been used for tasks such as detecting sham marriages and identifying fraud in benefit claims.
The Public Law Project (PLP), an access-to-justice charity, has been at the forefront of this issue, advocating for more transparency and fairness in the deployment of such technology.
In August 2020, the Home Office agreed to suspend a computer algorithm used to sort visa applications after allegations of racism and bias. Officials halted the algorithm following a legal challenge by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants and the digital rights group Foxglove, as reported by the Guardian.
The Guardian also reports that Foxglove claimed that certain nationalities were automatically given a “red” risk score, leading to a higher likelihood of visa denial. They argued that this process amounted to racial discrimination.
The government’s Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation warned in a report that AI often amplifies biases. The center helped develop an algorithmic transparency recording standard for public bodies deploying AI and algorithmic tools, proposing that models interacting with the public or influencing decisions be published on a register.
As reported by the Guardian, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) confirmed this weekend that departments would now report on their use of the technology under this standard.
A DSIT spokesperson said, “Technology has huge potential to improve public services, but we know it’s important to maintain the right safeguards including, where appropriate, human oversight and other forms of governance.”
“The algorithmic transparency recording standard is now mandatory for all departments, with a number of records due to be published shortly. We continue to explore how it can be expanded across the public sector. We encourage all organizations to use AI and data in a way that builds public trust through tools, guidance, and standards.”
Image by TechCrunch, from Flickr
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested in France
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
French authorities arrested Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging app, Telegram, at Le Bourget airport near Paris on Saturday evening. The 39-year-old is scheduled to appear in court on Sunday.
According to Reuters , the arrest stems from a preliminary investigation surrounding the alleged allowing of crimes to take place on the platform due to a lack of moderation.
An official statement by Telegram, which can be seen on the company’s official X account , reads, “Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.”
While Telegram has been criticized before for enabling the spread of harmful content , its significance as a crucial information source in regions with heavy censorship is also largely discussed .
The Russian embassy in France has reportedly condemned Durov’s arrest, accusing French authorities of violating his rights and denying consular access, although Durov is a French citizen.
Many have criticized Durov’s arrest as a reflection of Western attempts to control information. Russian lawmaker Maria Butina, who previously served time in a U.S. prison for acting as an unregistered Russian agent, told Reuters, “Pavel Durov is a political prisoner — a victim of a witch-hunt by the West.”
Elon Musk, CEO of the platform X, posted his reaction to the arrest in a post that reads, “POV: It’s 2030 in Europe and you’re being executed for liking a meme.”
