February 3, 2022 10:00 a.m.

Senator Ron Wyden and two colleagues have introduced the Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2022.

A release called it a landmark bill designed to bring transparency and oversight of software, algorithms and other automated systems that are used to make critical decisions about nearly every aspect of American’s lives.

Wyden said “If someone decides not to rent you a house because of the color of your skin, that’s flat out illegal discrimination. Using a flawed algorithm or software that results in discrimination and bias is just as bad”. Wyden said the legislation will pull back the curtain on secret algorithms that decide whether Americans get to see a doctor, rent a house or get into a school. He said, “Transparency and accountability are essential to give consumers choice and provide policymakers with the information needed to set the rules of the road for critical decision systems”.

The release said the bill requires companies to conduct impact assessments for bias, effectiveness and other factors, when using automated decision systems to make critical decisions. It also creates, for the first time, a public repository at the Federal Trade Commission of these systems, and adds 75 staff to the commission to enforce the law.

Wyden was joined by Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey and Representative Yvette Clark of New York. The new bill updates the 2019 Algorithmic Accountability Act.

A summary of the legislation is linked: https://www.wyden.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2022-02-03%20Algorithmic%20Accountability%20Act%20of%202022%20One-pager.pdf