[ [link removed] ]The text reads "discrimination should not be automated." There is an
image of three Black fists raised. The Color Of Change logo is in the
corner.

John,

Companies are giving more life-changing decisions over to
algorithms—computer systems that can solve problems or complete
tasks—reinforcing the discrimination that Black communities fought hard to
outlaw in offline spaces.^1 Humans introduce racial biases to algorithms
through various points; an example of this is training algorithms using
datasets that reflect the prejudices and inequalities of our society.^2
That’s why algorithms used by car insurance companies may determine higher
insurance rates for people living in predominantly Black neighborhoods.^3
Algorithms can also exclude women from seeing certain employment ads,
reject qualified Black students for school admissions, or deprioritize
Black patients for care.^4-6 Algorithmic accountability is the only proven
method to prevent algorithmic bias, and that requires evaluating
algorithms, deleting discriminatory datasets, and suspending the use of
discriminatory algorithms.^7 We need Congress to pass the Algorithmic
Accountability Act to protect us from algorithmic discrimination in
important life decisions like securing housing, education, employment, or
obtaining credit.^8

[ [link removed] ]DEMAND CONGRESS PASS THE ALGORITHMIC ACCOUNTABILITY ACT!

Crystal Marie and Eskias McDanielses’ difficulty in obtaining a housing
loan is a real-life example of how algorithmic bias harms Black people.
The McDanielses were ready to buy a house in Charlotte, North Carolina,
and were more than qualified to receive a housing loan due to their
excellent credit scores and high household income. But after shelling out
$6,000 in fees and deposits, the lender denied this Black couple a home
loan.^9 The couple wasted thousands of dollars because the lender used a
racist algorithm to make this unacceptable decision. Fortunately for the
McDanielses, they were eventually able to get the house after finding out
an algorithm was the source of their initial denial and challenging the
denial. But not everyone has the time or resources to challenge these
harmful outcomes or even know they’re happening. It’s illegal for lenders
and other decision makers to discriminate based on race, therefore the use
of discriminatory algorithms by these folks must also be outlawed. 

While the McDanielses had to fight an unjust algorithm to get a housing
loan for their house, access to such resources should not be a fight at
all. The Algorithmic Accountability Act will address algorithmic biases
by:

* Requiring assessments that will help protect Black people from
automated discrimination
* Targeting decisions made in the context of housing, healthcare,
education, employment, credit, and insurance
* Giving the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the authority and staff
necessary to require these assessments

A better future is possible—a future that protects Black people from
algorithmic bias and automated discrimination. Corporations like Amazon
realize the power of algorithmic accountability. From Richmond to Spokane,
Amazon has actively blocked and undermined similar bills for privacy
protections so that they can continue to profit off the exploitation of
people’s data through their online retail and emerging technologies.^10
Collective people power is greater than consolidated corporate power.
That’s why Color Of Change is calling on Congress to pass the Algorithmic
Accountability Act.

[ [link removed] ]Join us in advocating for algorithmic accountability!

Until justice is real,

—Jade Magnus Ogunnaike

References

 1. “Data Capitalism,” Data for Black Lives,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 2. Ibid.
 3. Tom Feltner and Douglas Heller, High Price of Mandatory Auto Insurance
in Predominantly African American Communities, Consumer Federation of
America, (November 2015).
 4. Kim Lyons, “Facebook’s ad delivery system still has gender bias, new
study finds,” The Verge, April 9, 2021,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 5. Colin Lecher and Maddy Varner, “NYC’s school algorithms cement
segregation. This data shows how,”  May 26, 2021,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 6. Jennifer Tsai, “Jordan Crowley would be in line for a kidney—if he
were deemed white enough,” Slate, June 27, 2021,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 7. Robyn Caplan, Joan Donovan, Lauren Hanson, and Jeanna Matthews,
“Algorithmic Accountability: A Primer,” Data & Society, April 18,
2018,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
 8. "Wyden, Booker and Clarke introduce Algorithmic Accountability Act of
2022 to require new transparency and accountability for automated
decision systems," Ron Wyden United States Senator for Oregon,
February 3, 2022,
[link removed] 
 9. Emmanuel Martinez and Lauren Kirchner, “The Secret Bias Hidden in
Mortgage-Approval Algorithms,” The Markup, August 25, 2021,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
10. Jeffrey Dastin, Chris Kirkham, and Aditya Kalra, “Amazon wages secret
war on Americans’ privacy, documents show,” Reuters, November 19,
2021,​​
[ [link removed] ][link removed] 



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