Study Finds COMPAS Sentencing Algorithm No More Accurate Than Random People, Shows Racial Bias
A study by Dartmouth College researchers found that the COMPAS recidivism risk assessment algorithm, used by judges in several US states, is no more accurate than random people recruited online. The algorithm, developed by Equivalent, exhibited racial bias by classifying black defendants as higher risk and white defendants as lower risk, leading to harsher rehabilitation recommendations for black defendants. The bias likely stems from skewed arrest rate data. The findings build on a 2016 ProPublica investigation.
- Company involved
- Broward County courts
- AI system involved
- COMPAS
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Resume prompt injection tricks AI hiring - moneywise.com
AI screening system determined which job applicants to advance to the next stage of recruitment.
1 source article · read the reporting →
Amazon's Algorithm Favours Its Own Products Over Cheaper Alternatives
ProPublica found that Amazon's buy box algorithm often selects Amazon's own products or those of sellers who pay for its services, even when cheaper options exist. This results in customers paying higher prices, with an average difference of $7.88 per product. Sellers who do not pay for Amazon's Fulfilled by Amazon programme are disadvantaged and may lose sales. Amazon states that the algorithm considers factors beyond price, such as shipping speed and customer service.
3 source articles · read the reporting →
SafeRent Settles Class Action Over Tenant Screening for Voucher Holders
Mary Louis and Monica Douglas filed a class action lawsuit in 2022 alleging that SafeRent Solutions' SafeRent Score product discriminated against rental applicants in Massachusetts who held public housing vouchers, violating fair housing and consumer protection laws. SafeRent denied wrongdoing. The court approved a settlement in November 2024, and payments were distributed to eligible class members in 2025 and 2026.
- Company involved
- SafeRent Solutions, LLC
- AI system involved
- SafeRent Score
5 source articles · read the reporting →
3rd Circuit Revives Hotel Price-Fixing Suit Over Cendyn Rainmaker Algorithm
A group of hotel guests allege that Caesars Entertainment, Hard Rock, Borgata, and MGM conspired to fix room rates using Cendyn's Rainmaker algorithm. The algorithm allegedly recommended prices based on competitively-sensitive information shared among the casinos. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit revived the lawsuit, allowing the claims to proceed. The case is pending.
- Company involved
- Caesars Entertainment, Hard Rock, Borgata, MGM
- AI system involved
- Rainmaker
2 source articles · read the reporting →
PredPol crime predictions disproportionately targeted Black and Latino neighborhoods
Between 2018 and 2021, PredPol software sent millions of crime predictions to U.S. police departments. An analysis of unsecured data found that predictions overwhelmingly targeted Black, Latino, and low-income neighborhoods, while whiter, wealthier areas were largely avoided. The company claimed the software was bias-free, but the data showed persistent racial and economic disparities. Many police departments have since stopped using the software.
- AI system involved
- PredPol
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Uber's Secretive 'Upfront Fares' Algorithm Cuts Driver Pay in Many Cities
Uber introduced an opaque algorithm called 'Upfront Fares' to calculate driver pay in 24 U.S. cities, replacing the previous time-and-distance-based rate. Drivers report lower and unpredictable earnings, with Uber taking a larger cut of fares. The company claims the change gives drivers more control, but critics say the secrecy makes it impossible to verify fair pay. The algorithm may learn the lowest rate drivers will accept, potentially driving down wages.
- Company involved
- Uber
- AI system involved
- Upfront Fares
3 source articles · read the reporting →
Meta's Advantage Plus AI ad tool overspends and underperforms for advertisers
In February 2024, Meta's automated ad platform Advantage Plus began malfunctioning, causing advertisers' costs per impression to skyrocket and blowing through daily budgets without delivering sales. Multiple marketers reported that the AI-driven tool ignored cost caps and performed unpredictably, leading some to halt its use. Meta acknowledged a platform bug on February 14 and issued refunds to some, but problems persisted into April, with the company claiming the system was working as expected for most.
- Company involved
- Meta
- AI system involved
- Advantage Plus
1 source article · read the reporting →
Portland Water Bureau AI pilot offers discount to billionaire CEO
The Portland Water Bureau used a machine learning system in a randomised control trial to identify customers for its financial assistance programme. The system selected Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle, a billionaire and one of the city's largest residential water consumers, for a 40% water bill discount. Boyle declined the discount, stating it should go to someone who needs it. The bureau is testing whether the SERVUS algorithm can accurately identify customers' ability to pay.
- Company involved
- Portland Water Bureau
- AI system involved
- Smart Discount Program
1 source article · read the reporting →
Canada Investigates Landlords' Use of AI Rent-Setting Software YieldStar
The Competition Bureau of Canada is investigating allegations that major corporate landlords, including Dream Unlimited, used AI-powered software YieldStar to coordinate rent increases. Tenant advocacy groups filed over 100 complaints, claiming the software recommended above-market rents, exacerbating housing affordability. Some landlords have since halted use of YieldStar amid public backlash, while the investigation continues.
- Company involved
- Dream Unlimited
- AI system involved
- YieldStar
7 source articles · read the reporting →
DC attorney general sues 14 landlords over RealPage rent collusion
The Attorney General of Washington DC filed a lawsuit against 14 large landlords, alleging they used RealPage's YieldStar software to form “a District-wide housing cartel” that artificially inflated rents. The complaint claims RealPage's pricing algorithm used data supplied by the landlords and pressurised them to follow its rate recommendations, with one firm's internal presentation stating at least 95% compliance was expected. This alleged scheme caused residents to pay millions of dollars above fair market prices during a housing affordability crisis.
- Company involved
- Greystar Management Services
- AI system involved
- YieldStar
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Kronos Algorithmic Scheduling Blamed for Erratic Work Hours for Retail Workers
Kronos workforce management software is used by major retail chains to algorithmically generate employee schedules. The software has been criticised for causing erratic and unpredictable work hours, leading to financial instability and emotional distress for low-wage workers. Following an investigation by the New York attorney general and negative press, Kronos announced new features aimed at improving schedule stability and worker control, though critics argue the changes are optional and lack enforcement mechanisms.
- Company involved
- Various retailers (e.g., Gap, Target, J.C. Penney, Starbucks)
- AI system involved
- Kronos scheduling software
9 source articles · read the reporting →
Booking.com still misleading consumers with false '1 room left' claims
Booking.com continues to display misleading scarcity messages on its hotel booking platform, claiming that only one room is left when in fact many more are available. Which? Travel found that five out of ten such claims were inaccurate, with one example showing 34 rooms still available at a London hotel. The Competition and Markets Authority had given Booking.com until 1 September 2019 to change its practices, but the platform has not fully complied. Booking.com says it has worked to implement the commitments agreed with the CMA.
- Company involved
- Booking.com
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Outback Steakhouse franchise tests Presto Vision to monitor staff and guests
Evergreen Restaurant Group, a franchisee of Outback Steakhouse, has begun testing Presto Vision, a computer vision system that analyses surveillance camera footage to track employee performance and guest behaviour. The system compiles metrics on service, wait times, and customer turnover, which managers receive by email. Employees say they were not informed about the technology, and researchers have raised concerns about workplace stress, job losses, and data sharing with parent companies.
- Company involved
- Evergreen Restaurant Group
- AI system involved
- Presto Vision
8 source articles · read the reporting →
RealPage's YieldStar algorithm pushes rents higher for tenants
RealPage's YieldStar algorithm uses private competitor data to recommend rent increases for apartment units. Landlords adopt up to 90% of the suggestions, leading to higher rents for tenants. Critics allege the software may facilitate indirect price-fixing in violation of antitrust law. The company denies wrongdoing and says the software helps eliminate collusion.
- Company involved
- RealPage
- AI system involved
- YieldStar
10 source articles · read the reporting →
UDR Sued Over Alleged Use of RealPage Algorithm to Set Rents in San Diego
A class action lawsuit alleges that UDR, Inc. used RealPage's YieldStar algorithmic pricing software to set rental rates and occupancy levels for its San Diego properties, in violation of a local ordinance. The suit claims the software relied on nonpublic competitor data, contributing to inflated rents and making housing less affordable. The lawsuit, filed in July 2026, seeks to represent all affected tenants. UDR has previously acknowledged using YieldStar as one tool among others in its decision-making.
- Company involved
- UDR, Inc.
- AI system involved
- RealPage YieldStar
1 source article · read the reporting →
AMS algorithm lacks transparency and may discriminate against job seekers
The Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) uses an algorithm to classify job seekers into categories A, B, and C, determining their access to benefits and training. Scientists from TU Wien, WU Wien, and University of Vienna have criticised the algorithm for lacking transparency, as only two of 96 model variants have been published. They allege that the system may discriminate against women and people with migration background, and that job seekers are not informed about how the algorithm works or given a chance to appeal.
- Company involved
- AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice Österreich)
- AI system involved
- AMS-Algorithmus
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Shipt's new V2 algorithm reduces pay for 41% of workers, study finds
A study by MIT Media Lab and Coworker.org found that Shipt's new V2 payment algorithm reduced pay for 41% of workers by an average of 11% per shop. The algorithm, rolled out in September 2020, replaced a transparent payment system with a black-box model. Workers pooled data to analyze the impact, revealing uneven distribution of earnings.
- Company involved
- Shipt
- AI system involved
- V2
10 source articles · read the reporting →
UBC students raise concerns over Proctorio's privacy breach and discrimination
The University of British Columbia (UBC) uses Proctorio, an algorithmic test proctoring software, for remote exams. In June 2020, a UBC student reported an issue with Proctorio, and the company's CEO released the student's support chat logs, sparking privacy concerns. The AMS of UBC published an open letter alleging that Proctorio discriminates against students of colour, those with disabilities, and other groups by flagging 'abnormal' behaviours and denying access. The letter calls on UBC to end its contract with Proctorio and conduct an external audit.
- Company involved
- University of British Columbia
- AI system involved
- Proctorio
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Proctorio's exam proctoring system allows human agents to review student feeds despite privacy claims
A security researcher analyzed Proctorio's Chrome extension and found evidence that the system allows human agents to review students' room scans and live ID checks, contrary to Proctorio's claims that only professors can access recordings. The system flags students based on behavioral metrics and can terminate exams. The researcher also raised concerns about discrimination against low-income students and privacy violations.
- Company involved
- Proctorio
- AI system involved
- Proctorio
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Allstate's proposed retention model charged big spenders more in Maryland
Allstate proposed an auto insurance rate adjustment plan in Maryland using a retention model algorithm that varied premium changes based on existing premiums. The algorithm would have increased rates up to 20% for customers already paying the highest premiums while capping increases at 5% for others, and would have denied meaningful discounts to thousands owed reductions. The Maryland Insurance Administration rejected the plan as discriminatory, but Allstate claims it was withdrawn and has continued proposing similar models elsewhere. The proposal never took effect in Maryland.
- Company involved
- Allstate Corporation
- AI system involved
- retention model
9 source articles · read the reporting →
Portland Metro ends Replica partnership over data privacy concerns
Portland Metro, an elected regional government in Oregon, ended its pilot project with movement data company Replica after a disagreement about data sharing. Portland Metro requested raw, disaggregated data, which Replica refused to provide, citing user privacy concerns. The partnership was terminated without payment.
- Company involved
- Portland Metro
- AI system involved
- Replica
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Airbnb smart-pricing algorithm increased racial revenue gap, study finds
A study by Carnegie Mellon University found that Airbnb's smart-pricing algorithm increased the revenue gap between White and Black hosts, even though it narrowed the gap among hosts who adopted it. The algorithm, which sets daily prices automatically, was adopted by fewer Black hosts, so its suggested prices were closer to the optimum for White hosts. The researchers said the tool could reduce racial disparities only if more Black hosts adopted it.
- Company involved
- Airbnb
- AI system involved
- Airbnb smart-pricing algorithm
10 source articles · read the reporting →
PwC develops facial recognition tool to monitor employees working from home
Accounting giant PwC has developed a facial recognition tool that logs when employees are absent from their computer screens while working from home. The tool, intended for financial institutions, requires workers to provide written reasons for any absences, including toilet breaks. Commentators have criticised the tool as a huge invasion of privacy, with concerns about damage to trust and increased stress. PwC stated that the technology is designed to help regulated institutions meet compliance obligations and that voluntary consent of traders is essential.
- Company involved
- PwC
8 source articles · read the reporting →
