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Illinois DCFS ends unreliable predictive analytics program for child abuse risk

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services ended its Rapid Safety Feedback program, which used data mining to predict child abuse risk, after the agency's director called the technology unreliable. The system, developed by Eckerd Connects and Mindshare Technology, assigned risk scores to children but failed to flag several high-profile child deaths. The program was also criticised for overwhelming caseworkers with alerts and for potential bias against poor children of colour. DCFS decided not to renew the contract.

Date it happened
2017-12-06
Organisation involved
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Product, system or model
Rapid Safety Feedback
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