The record

Where automated decisions went wrong

Incidents gathered from public reporting around the world. Each one links to the articles it came from. None of it is a finding that anyone broke the law.

Reports people file about their own experience are not shown here and never will be without their agreement. Tell us what happened to you.

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44 incidents closest to “RentSpree PRO” · matched on meaning · public reporting

$3.75M HireVue Illinois BIPA class action settlement - Top Class Actions

Collected voice and facial biometrics from job applicants during video interviews without consent

Company involved
HireVue Inc.
AI system involved
HireVue

1 source article · read the reporting →

SpaceXAI offering to buy homes affected by noise in Southaven - DeSoto Times-Tribune

The power plant's operation generated constant noise that affected nearby residents' quality of life, health, and property values.

Company involved
SpaceXAI

1 source article · 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 →

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 →

WF-FPFUBS1 Jun 2021

How Your Shadow Credit Score Could Decide Whether You Get an Apartment - ProPublica

Tenant screening companies assign renters a score drawn from data far wider than credit history, an industry subject to less regulation than credit scoring agencies. ProPublica reports that experts warn these algorithms can decide who gets an apartment on the basis of information applicants cannot see or correct. Kim Fuller was denied a rental application on such a score.

Company involved
Habitat America
AI system involved
RentGrow

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-5CSSKD15 Feb 2018

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 →

WF-Z7PLQV18 Apr 2011

Algorithmic Pricing Glitch Causes $24 Million Book Listing on Amazon

Two booksellers on Amazon, profnath and bordeebook, used algorithmic pricing to automatically adjust their prices relative to each other. Due to a lack of upper price limits, their algorithms entered a feedback loop, driving the price of a used copy of 'The Making of a Fly' to over $23 million. The error was discovered by a researcher and the price was later manually corrected by one of the sellers. No purchase was made at the inflated price.

Company involved
profnath and bordeebook
AI system involved
Amazon algorithmic pricing

2 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-ANLJ9Z13 Sep 2022

Airbnb bans user for life over nine-year-old possession charge

Bethany Hallam, an Allegheny County councilmember, received a lifetime booking ban from Airbnb due to a possession charge from nine years prior. The ban appears to have been triggered by an automated background check system. Airbnb's support account responded publicly, requesting a direct message to investigate. Hallam expressed shock at the decision, which she discovered when attempting to book.

Company involved
Airbnb

6 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-CA5PVX14 Feb 2024

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 →

WF-CESBK714 Oct 2024

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 →

WF-ZTR26N1 Nov 2023

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 →

WF-MH8ZGZ1 Jan 2025

Airbnb apologises after host used AI-doctored photos to claim fake damages

A London-based woman booked a Manhattan Airbnb for a 2.5-month stay but left early due to safety concerns. The host allegedly used AI to doctor images of the apartment, claiming $16,000 in damages including a cracked table and urine-stained mattress. Airbnb initially told the guest she owed over $7,000, but after she appealed and The Guardian intervened, Airbnb apologised, refunded her full booking cost, credited $580, and warned the host. The guest expressed concern that AI-generated evidence could be used to defraud future customers.

Company involved
Airbnb

3 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-XMHLUZ1 Jul 2018

Brooklyn landlord abandons facial recognition plan after tenant protests

Robert Nelson, president of Nelson Management Group, planned to install a facial recognition system at Atlantic Plaza Towers, a rent-stabilized building in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Tenants protested, citing privacy concerns and studies showing the technology disproportionately impacts people of color. After a town hall meeting, Nelson announced he was withdrawing the application with the state housing agency. The reversal was seen as a victory by tenants, who continue to push for legislation banning facial recognition in residential buildings.

Company involved
Nelson Management Group

10 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-UXMQY922 Jun 2023

Bankrate Publishes AI-Generated Article with Numerous Factual Errors, Deletes After Futurism Inquiry

Bankrate published an AI-generated article about the best places to live in Colorado that contained multiple factual errors, including incorrect median home prices and unemployment rates. The article was removed after Futurism pointed out the mistakes. A Bankrate spokesperson blamed the errors on outdated data from an internal database, claiming the article was editor-reviewed. The incident follows a previous scandal where CNET and Bankrate paused AI content after similar errors, but the company has resumed AI article publication.

Company involved
Bankrate

1 source article · read the reporting →

WF-5919YN1 Sep 2019

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 →

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 →

WF-5IH5EH22 Oct 2019

Gradient app charges users unexpected subscription fees after free trial

The Gradient app, a celebrity lookalike app promoted by the Kardashians, charges users $19.99 per month after a three-day free trial without clear disclosure. Users complained on social media about unexpected credit card charges. The app's developer, Ticket to the Moon, has not addressed the billing complaints but denied collecting user data.

Company involved
Ticket to the Moon, Inc.
AI system involved
Gradient

9 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-PEFP2L8 Sep 2020

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 →

WF-GP9JON1 Jan 2013

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 →

WF-E7VSR21 Jan 2021

LA's VI-SPDAT housing scoring system gives lower priority to Black and Latino people

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority uses the VI-SPDAT scoring system to prioritise unhoused people for subsidised permanent housing. An investigation by The Markup found that Black and Latino people consistently receive lower vulnerability scores than White people, leading to lower priority for housing. The agency has acknowledged the racial disparities and is working on a new tool, but continues to use the current system.

Company involved
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
AI system involved
VI-SPDAT

10 source articles · read the reporting →

WF-YQ3F4O1 Nov 2015

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 →

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