An investigation and report tabled in the NSW Parliament has found that NSW government debt collection agency, Revenue NSW, has been illegally using an automated system to withdraw funds for unpaid fines directly from peoples bank accounts.
The report found that artificial intelligence was being used by Revenue NSW to withdraw money from the bank accounts of people who had failed to pay fines, but the practice was never overseen by a real person.
NSW Ombudsman, Paul Miller, had received a spate of complaints prompting an investigation which highlighted how financially vulnerable individuals were impacted by the technology, and further found that between 2016 and 2019 the original automated process used to withdraw money from bank accounts was unlawful.
Mr Miller has called for greater transparency surrounding the use of artificial intelligence and decision making by machines, but said the use of machine technology in the public sector is increasing and that there are many “potential benefits.”