12 Civil Rights Groups Warn NYC Legislation May ‘Rubberstamp’ Biased A.I.

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For Immediate Release

12 Civil Rights Groups Warn NYC Legislation May ‘Rubber-stamp’ Biased A.I.

(NEW YORK, NY, 11/13/2020) – Today, a dozen civil rights groups led by the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy group, warned that New York City’s proposed legislation may “rubber-stamp” biased Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) software. The legislation, Introduction 1894, would regulate use of A.I. hiring tools in New York, but groups warn the limited audit requirement would do little to address the real world risk of A.I. bias.

SEE: Sign-on Letter
https://www.stopspying.org/s/Intro-1894-Sign-On-Letter-1.pdf

Text of Introduction 1894
https://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4344524&GUID=B051915D-A9AC-451E-81F8-6596032FA3F9&Options=Advanced&Search

“Biased A.I. software is putting New Yorkers’ livelihoods at risk, but this bill can’t solve the problem,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “Rather than just asking software vendors to conduct a boilerplate “audit,” we need real consequences for companies who use or sell this biased software. This legislation has loopholes that would let employers avoid liability, even when they use biased tools. New York has the chance to be a leader in combating biased A.I., but it will take much stronger protections than this. We hope city council members join us in crafting legislation that can fully protect New Yorkers from biased A.I.”

The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider hosted by the Urban Justice Center. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color.

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Presscommunications staffNovember 17, 2020