UK government's Spotlight algorithm denies funding to independent cinemas
The UK government's Culture Recovery Fund used an automated due diligence tool called Spotlight, designed by the Cabinet Office, to process grant applications. The algorithm is accused of excluding smaller, community-focused independent cinemas and arts organizations in favour of larger institutions, a practice the article describes as automated cultural elitism. The National Audit Office has confirmed the criteria, and Arts Council England is investigating cases of potential fraud, while many venues report struggling to survive.
- Date it happened
- 2020-03-01
- Organisation involved
- UK Government Cabinet Office
- Product, system or model
- Spotlight
This incident was imported from lwlies.com. Our additions to it — the structured fields, the translation, the checks against other reports — are published under the same licence.
This is a record of what was reported, not a finding that anyone broke the law. If it names your organisation and you believe it is wrong, the corrections process is free and open to everyone.