French Welfare Algorithm Faces Legal Challenge Over Discrimination Claims

A coalition of human rights groups has filed a lawsuit against CNAF's algorithm, alleging it unfairly targets marginalized communities.

Fifteen organizations, including Amnesty International, have taken legal action against the French government's use of an algorithm to detect welfare fraud.
The algorithm used by CNAF is accused of discriminating against disabled individuals, single mothers, and low-income families by assigning them higher risk scores.
Critics argue the system violates European privacy laws and French anti-discrimination statutes, contributing to mass surveillance of vulnerable groups.
CNAF defends the algorithm as a tool for estimating fraud risk, asserting it does not intentionally discriminate against any group.
The case could influence the implementation of the EU's new AI regulations, which will ban social scoring practices starting February 2025.