UWV has purchased an AI tool that may not comply with GDPR

The Dutch Employee Insurance Agency has purchased an AI system that may not comply with the GDPR. The system does not work with data from citizens who are in a process with the UWV, but the AI ​​may incorrectly collect data from the internet.

The UWV writes in an annual evaluation of the new AI system that it is more likely to purchased, but for which there may be privacy obstacles. This is a system that the UWV wants to use for the Mediation Service. Job seekers are linked to possible employers. This has been happening since last year with new artificial intelligence, but questions have recently arisen about this. The UWV does not say which questions these are. It is also not clear whether the tool is already in use or not.

The questions would relate to how the AI ​​handles data collected from the internet. The UWV does not provide any further explanation. These questions may be related to a recent ruling by the Dutch Data Protection Authority regarding scraping. The privacy regulator said early last month that scraping information from the internet is illegal in almost all cases. This also applies to artificial intelligence models, which are often trained on such information.

The UWV says that the supplier of the software is responsible for complying with the GDPR. “UWV considers it important that the GDPR compliance of the purchased software is guaranteed and is discussing this with the supplier,” the agency says.

It is striking that the software was purchased while another assessment was taking place. runs. Prior to its use, there was a 'Data Ethics' committee that assessed the software. However, another process is still ongoing: that of an 'impact assessment for human rights when using algorithms'. Since 2022, it has been mandatory for government agencies to carry out such an iama prior to the use of algorithms that may process data of Dutch citizens. The UWV now says that the investigation is still ongoing.

Update: the article initially stated that the UWV is using the tool, but it is not clear whether that is the case . In any case, the tool has been purchased. That has been adjusted.