Speak to me in algorithms.

The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has issued a letter on the appropriateness of the GDPR as a legal framework to protect citizens from unfair algorithms.

“Considering the already extensive existing legal framework, the EDPB considers additional legislation in the area of data protection aimed at a specific technology [such as algorithms] as premature at this time.”

“[The] focus at this time lies on the development of existing norms, specifically the requirements of transparency, accountability and the [Data Protection Impact Assessments] in the context of machine learning algorithms. In the future, this may lead to the development of guidelines.”

“In order to protect individuals from unfair or discriminatory outcomes of algorithms an interdisciplinary approach is needed… ”

“This enforcement can take many forms, including:

• actively informing the public regarding their rights
• engaging with stakeholders
• informing and guiding organizations
• assessing prior consultations and
• carrying out investigations, which may lead to enforcement actions.”

Read the full letter.

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