Kari Paul, The Guardian; Trump housing plan would make bias by algorithm 'nearly impossible to fight'
"Under the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) new
rules, businesses would be shielded from liability when their algorithms
are accused of bias through three different loopholes:
- When the algorithm in question is vetted by a “neutral third party”.
- When the algorithm itself was created by a third party.
- If an algorithm used did not use race or a proxy for it in the computer model.
In the letter, groups in opposition to the change noted many pieces
of data can be proxies for race – discriminating by a zip code, for
example, can enable a racial bias. The rule would give “unprecedented
deference” to mortgage lenders, landlords, banks, insurance companies,
and others in the housing industry, the letter said."
