Machine Bias
Investigating Algorithmic Injustice
Investigating algorithmic injustice and the formulas that influence our lives.
Facebook Finally Agrees to Eliminate Tool That Enabled Discriminatory Advertising
Six years after ProPublica revealed that Facebook allowed advertisers to exclude Black users and others, the company agreed to a settlement with the Justice Department to overhaul its ad algorithm system.
Employers Used Facebook to Keep Women and Older Workers From Seeing Job Ads. The Federal Government Thinks That’s Illegal.
In a first, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has ruled that companies violated civil rights law through their use of Facebook’s targeting advertising.
Facebook Won’t Let Employers, Landlords or Lenders Discriminate in Ads Anymore
The sweeping changes come two years after ProPublica’s reporting, which sparked lawsuits and widespread outrage.
Besieged Facebook Says New Ad Limits Aren’t Response to Lawsuits
The social network is removing 5,000 options that regulators say enable advertisers to discriminate.
Fair Housing Groups Sue Facebook for Allowing Discrimination in Housing Ads
Borrowing from ProPublica’s playbook, advocates created fake companies and bought discriminatory ads on the social network.
Congressman’s Bill Would Force Trump Administration to Fulfill Pledge to Study Racial Disparities in Auto Insurance Pricing
Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., cited our report that minority neighborhoods pay higher car insurance premiums than white areas with the same risk.
AARP and Key Senators Urge Companies to End Age Bias in Recruiting on Facebook
A ProPublica/New York Times report last month has raised concerns about online job ads discriminating against older workers.
New York City Moves to Create Accountability for Algorithms
Spurred by a ProPublica report, the New York City Council passed the country’s first bill to address algorithmic discrimination in city government.
Facebook to Temporarily Block Advertisers From Excluding Audiences by Race
The social network’s actions come after a ProPublica investigation revealed that Facebook failed to keep its promise to reject discriminatory housing ads.
Federal Judge Unseals New York Crime Lab’s Software for Analyzing DNA Evidence
We asked the judge to make the source code public after scientists and defense attorneys raised concerns that flaws in its design may have resulted in innocent people going to prison.
Facebook Moves to Prevent Advertisers From Targeting Haters
Following our report that advertisers could use Facebook to reach self-identified anti-Semites, the company said it would remove all audience categories based on users’ reports of their interests, education and employment.
California to Investigate Racial Discrimination in Auto Insurance Premiums
The state’s insurance department is following up on our findings that eight auto insurers charge more in minority neighborhoods than in other neighborhoods with similar risk.
Lawmakers Seek Stronger Monitoring of Racial Disparities in Car Insurance Premiums
In response to our report that minority neighborhoods pay higher premiums than white areas with the same risk, six members of Congress and two Illinois state senators are pushing for closer scrutiny of insurance practices.
Facebook Says it Will Stop Allowing Some Advertisers to Exclude Users by Race
Facebook says it will build a system to prevent advertisers from buying credit, housing or employment ads that exclude viewers by race.
Wisconsin Court: Warning Labels Are Needed for Scores Rating Defendants’ Risk of Future Crime
The court said judges can look at the scores – so long as their limitations are made clear.
What We’re Watching
During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.
Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.
Sharon Lerner
I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.
Andy Kroll
I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.
Melissa Sanchez
I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.
Jesse Coburn
I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.
If you don’t have a specific tip or story in mind, we could still use your help. Sign up to be a member of our federal worker source network to stay in touch.
