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Big data analytics company Palantir approached the UK disabilities minister to pitch technology to crack down on benefits fraud.

It’s not the first time tech solutions target people with disabilities. 🧵

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/aug/08/palantir-lobbied-uk-disabilities-minister-software-benefits-fraud


Palantir lobbied UK disabilities minister to use software to tackle benefits fraud

US data firm wanted to brief Tom Pursglove on how its technology could help recover ‘large amounts’
Ben Quinn (The Guardian)
in reply to Privacy International

Privacy International
Privacy International
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Disabilities campaigners pointed out as early as 2021 that they were being disproportionately targeted for benefit fraud investigations 👇

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/nov/21/dwp-urged-to-reveal-algorithm-that-targets-disabled-for-benefit


DWP urged to reveal algorithm that ‘targets’ disabled for benefit fraud

Manchester group launches action after people with disabilities report high number of stressful checks for potential scams
Michael Savage (The Guardian)
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In fact, data shows that people with disabilities are being underpaid.

Last year, the DWP’s own published data revealed that the majority of decisions refusing benefits to those with disabilities were overturned on appeal due to the DWP’s mistakes.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/oct/01/unforgivable-uk-government-errors-denied-thousands-disability-benefits


‘Unforgivable’: UK government errors denied thousands disability benefits

Campaigners hit out after data reveals majority of successful appeals were due to Department for Work and Pensions mistakes
Chaminda Jayanetti (The Guardian)
in reply to Privacy International

Privacy International
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The focus on targeting people with disabilities is misguided at best, and discriminatory at worst.

The UK has a legal obligation to uphold the right to live with dignity, and it must ensure that it protects and enforces the right to social security, without discrimination.

https://privacyinternational.org/long-read/4989/welfare-policy-uk-today-governments-flawed-approach-fraud


Welfare policy in the UK today: the government's flawed approach to fraud

In the UK, successive government ministers and members of parliament have made emotive
Privacy International
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The UK government should focus on improving its efforts so that people in need of benefits are adequately catered for, instead of focussing on fraud detection.
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Woo
Woo
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Has picking on the disabled been shown to be popular with the great unwashed? That's the Tories' target audience since UKIP. They don't see that they'll be next.
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Kenneth John Bardsley
Kenneth John Bardsley
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What about some technology to expose corporate fraud, and Tory donor fraud and corruption, then crack down on it ? That would recover or save hundreds of £ billions.
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Woo
Woo
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I don't understand why they are still allowed to do business in the UK.

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