As the World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty approaches, 15 civil society organizations are taking legal action against the algorithm used by the French Family Allowance Funds (CAF) for rating recipients. They are doing so in the name of data protection rights and non-discrimination, marking a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against a public service body’s algorithmic targeting. This lawsuit highlights the pressing need to examine the CAF’s practices, which unfairly target the most vulnerable members of society.
How the
CAF Algorithm Works
The CAF algorithm
assigns each recipient a suspicion score, determining the likelihood of a
welfare audit. Higher scores increase the probability of being targeted for a
control. The algorithm analyzes the personal data of over 32 million people
each month, calculating more than 13 million scores. Individuals with low
incomes, those receiving unemployment benefits, or those on welfare programs
like the Revenu de Solidarité Active (RSA) or the Adult Disability Allowance
(AAH) are particularly vulnerable to increased scores. This system
disproportionately targets individuals who are already facing financial
hardships, placing them under excessive scrutiny compared to others.
Discrimination
by Design
Our coalition’s
legal challenge addresses both the broad scope of this surveillance and the
discriminatory impact of the algorithm on already marginalized people. The
algorithm equates poverty with fraud, perpetuating stigmatization and
institutional mistreatment of the most vulnerable. These controls are not just
intrusive—they often result in the suspension of benefits and unjustified
repayment demands. In the most severe cases, recipients are left without any
financial support, an illegal act in itself. Furthermore, navigating the
appeals process is often complicated and inaccessible.
The underlying
issue lies in the way the algorithm reinforces systemic biases. It is designed
to flag individuals with specific characteristics, many of which are indicators
of financial difficulty. Low income, unemployment, and residence in
disadvantaged areas all increase one’s risk score, compounding the burden on
those who are least equipped to handle it.
Wider
Implications of Algorithmic Targeting
The use of
algorithms for social benefit control is not limited to France. Similar systems
have been deployed in other countries, with disastrous consequences. In the
Netherlands, for example, a discriminatory algorithm used to detect welfare
fraud plunged thousands of families into debt and poverty. Amnesty
International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard warns that France could face
a similar outcome unless urgent action is taken.
The expansion of
such technologies within social security systems has grave implications. The
CAF algorithm, which was revealed in 2023 by La Quadrature du Net and other
investigative bodies, is just one example of how digital tools can deepen
existing inequalities. Without transparency or accountability, these algorithms
effectively criminalize poverty and trap the vulnerable in cycles of scrutiny
and punishment.
The Fight
for Justice
Our coalition of
15 organizations, led by La Quadrature du Net, aims to put a stop to these
practices and to shed light on the violence embedded in so-called “anti-fraud”
policies. The use of such discriminatory algorithms is not just a technical
issue—it is a profound social and ethical challenge that threatens the rights
and dignity of millions of people. By bringing this case before France’s
highest administrative court, we hope to dismantle a system that weaponizes
technology against the poor.
Conclusion
As governments
increasingly turn to automated tools for decision-making, it is crucial to
ensure that these systems do not perpetuate injustice. The CAF algorithm is a
stark reminder of the risks posed by unchecked data collection and algorithmic
discrimination. Our fight is for a fairer, more transparent welfare system that
supports, rather than punishes, those in need.
CAF Definition
The CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) is a
public agency in France responsible for managing various social benefits. It
provides financial assistance to families, individuals in precarious
situations, and those with children or dependents. Key services offered by the
CAF include:
- Family allowances for households with children,
- Housing assistance (APL) to support tenants or
homeowners,
- RSA (Active Solidarity Income), which assists
individuals without jobs or with very low incomes,
- Additional support for people with disabilities and for educational
expenses related to children.
Similar agencies exist in other countries under
different names. For instance, in the United Kingdom, the Department for
Work and Pensions (DWP) offers comparable benefits. In the United States,
this role is partly fulfilled by the Social Security Administration (SSA)
and other agencies, depending on the type of social assistance.
Saisi
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