Open Rights Group

Open Rights Group

@openrightsgroup.org

We fight for digital rights. Join us. https://www.openrightsgroup.org/join/

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Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

Defend the open Internet 🌐 Digital ID checks behind the social media ban and beyond blow a hole in free expression and privacy. VPN restrictions and encryption-busting device scanning tech are due to follow. As a grassroots organisation, we need you to help fight for our human rights. Donate ⬇️

action.openrightsgroup.orgBuild our grassroots power to defend the open InternetFight back with grassroots power Open Rights Group was founded by members of the public who decided the UK needed an organisation that would fight for their digital rights. Ever since, this grassroots...

Open Rights Group reposted

Women for Refugee Women
@4refugeewomen.bsky.social

🚨The use of AI by the Home Office is deeply concerning. AI can replicate biases and discrimination which could have hugely harmful implications in life or death asylum decision-making. Read more and follow @openrightsgroup.org to learn more about their report 👇

Open Rights Group@openrightsgroup.org

NEW 📰 ORG's report reveals the sweeping use of AI across immigration and UK borders. Driving it is the idea that migration can be 'solved' by technology. But the biases and discrimination of anti-immigration policies are born again in code. This is the automated hostile environment. Read more ⤵️

theguardian.com‘Digital hostile environment’: AI secretly being embedded across Home Office, report claimsTasks from determining asylum seekers’ ages to border surveillance now involve AI, says Open Rights Group
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

NEW 📰 ORG's report reveals the sweeping use of AI across immigration and UK borders. Driving it is the idea that migration can be 'solved' by technology. But the biases and discrimination of anti-immigration policies are born again in code. This is the automated hostile environment. Read more ⤵️

theguardian.com‘Digital hostile environment’: AI secretly being embedded across Home Office, report claimsTasks from determining asylum seekers’ ages to border surveillance now involve AI, says Open Rights Group
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Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

“Migration is a human phenomenon and experience, not a technical problem that can be fixed by artificial intelligence. We urgently need transparency, accountability and strict regulation to restrict how AI is used and to prevent its wider rollout.” 💬 @sarahalsherif.bsky.social for ORG.

Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

NEW 📰 ORG's report reveals the sweeping use of AI across immigration and UK borders. Driving it is the idea that migration can be 'solved' by technology. But the biases and discrimination of anti-immigration policies are born again in code. This is the automated hostile environment. Read more ⤵️

theguardian.com‘Digital hostile environment’: AI secretly being embedded across Home Office, report claimsTasks from determining asylum seekers’ ages to border surveillance now involve AI, says Open Rights Group
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

Our report shows how AI has become stitched into the Home Office. From detecting potential sham marriages and age estimation of asylum seekers to searching phones and producing summaries for asylum decisions. Plus border surveillance with live facial recognition, AI-powered drones and satellites.

Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

The Home Office's use of AI comes with near total secrecy. Attempts to look behind the curtain are met with 'national security' exemptions or redactions to the point of meaninglessness. This limits our ability to ensure human rights are not being bypassed or to challenge the flaws in the system.

Open Rights Group reposted

Tuta
@tuta.com

Open Rights Group is fighting for our #digital rights in the #UK. 💪 We had the pleasure of chatting with Jim Killock, executive director of ORG, to learn what the organization does, its mission, privacy threats in the UK, & how it has evolved. Read the interview 👉 tuta.com/blog/tuta-in...

Open Rights Group reposted

The Citizens
@the-citizens.bsky.social

“Government is reinforcing national reliance on X while complaining about its decision to promote extremist content.” Jim Killock of @openrightsgroup.org speaks to the Citizens as calls for governmental ‘X-odus’ grow 👇 dispatch.the-citizens.com/calls-for-a-...

dispatch.the-citizens.comCalls for a governmental ‘X-odus’ grow as evidence of social harm mountsWith more politicians abandoning X, pressure is growing on the UK government to explore alternatives
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

We're hiring 🚀 ORG is recruiting for two exciting new positions to boost our communications and policy work. 🟢 Comms and Fundraising Assistant 🟢 Policy Assistant (Digital Sovereignty) 💻 Remote working ⏰ Apply by: Monday 9 November 2026, 9am ⬇️ Check out our roles today #jobs #hiring

openrightsgroup.orgJobs.
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

NEXT WEEK ⏰ Join us for the launch of our new report, 'Automated Discrimination: Unpacking the Digital Hostile Environment' by @fabiochiusi.bsky.social. We'll be uncovering how AI is being used in the UK immigration system. 🗓️ Wed 28 October 🕠️ 5:30–7:30pm 📍 King's College London Reserve a spot ⬇️

eventbrite.co.ukAutomated Discrimination: Unpacking the Digital Hostile EnvironmentAutomated Discrimination: Unpacking the Digital Hostile Environment - Report launch
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

“Deciding whether someone can or cannot seek refuge in the UK is one of the most serious and life-changing decisions that the state can make about an individual. But the Home Office continues to test AI on people seeking asylum in the UK without even telling them." ORG's @sarahalsherif.bsky.social

computerweekly.comAI tool used in asylum case reviews failing accuracy tests | Computer WeeklyAn AI tool introduced to speed up the processing of asylum claims has been found to make errors during Home Office testing. The Home Office introduced the Asylum Case Summarisation (ACS) tool in…

Open Rights Group reposted

Sara Alsherif
@sarahalsherif.bsky.social

ERRORS, INACCURACIES AND HOME OFFICE INCOMPETENCE Check the findings from our latest report @openrightsgroup.org All the resources are now publicly accessible. Review them and verify the findings. www.openrightsgroup.org/publications...

openrightsgroup.orgThe Use of ChatGPT in Asylum DecisionsErrors, Inaccuracies and Home Office Incompetence Executive summary Deciding whether someone can or cannot seek refuge in the UK is one of the most serious and life-changing decisions that the state ...

Open Rights Group reposted

Fabio Chiusi
@fabiochiusi.bsky.social

"Of the 203 primary reviews, 45 (22 per cent) failed accuracy standards, and 19 were flagged as needing further review. Of the 56 secondary reviews, 30 (54 per cent) were deemed to be sub-standard, information obtained by the Open Rights Group found"

Open Rights Group@openrightsgroup.org

🚨 BREAKING 🚨 ORG has carried out a 6-month investigation into AI use in the UK asylum system. We've found high error rates and claimants unaware that AI is being used. This could have catastrophic consequences for people whose future is in the hands of Home Office decision-making. Read more ⬇️

independent.co.ukAI tool used in thousands of asylum claims failing basic accuracy testsExclusive: MPs, charities and rights group warn that accuracy should not be sacrificed for speed in ‘life and death’ asylum decisions
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

“It has taken eleven parliamentary questions, two ministerial letters and eight FOI requests to uncover just some information about how AI is being used in the asylum system. There are still many contradictions and crucial information remains unpublished.” 💬 @sarahalsherif.bsky.social for ORG.

Open Rights Group@openrightsgroup.org

🚨 BREAKING 🚨 ORG has carried out a 6-month investigation into AI use in the UK asylum system. We've found high error rates and claimants unaware that AI is being used. This could have catastrophic consequences for people whose future is in the hands of Home Office decision-making. Read more ⬇️

independent.co.ukAI tool used in thousands of asylum claims failing basic accuracy testsExclusive: MPs, charities and rights group warn that accuracy should not be sacrificed for speed in ‘life and death’ asylum decisions
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

🚨 BREAKING 🚨 ORG has carried out a 6-month investigation into AI use in the UK asylum system. We've found high error rates and claimants unaware that AI is being used. This could have catastrophic consequences for people whose future is in the hands of Home Office decision-making. Read more ⬇️

independent.co.ukAI tool used in thousands of asylum claims failing basic accuracy testsExclusive: MPs, charities and rights group warn that accuracy should not be sacrificed for speed in ‘life and death’ asylum decisions
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Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

Asylum claimants continue not to be told when AI is used to summarise their case and country information. This is despite our legal opinion from March concluding that this lack of transparency would mean that the use of AI in asylum decision-making is likely to be unlawful. Find out more ⬇️

openrightsgroup.orgHome Office use of AI in asylum cases likely to be unlawful, legal opinion findsThe Home Office’s failure to inform asylum applicants that AI tools are being used in their assessments is likely to be unlawful, according to a legal opinion, published today.
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

🚨 BREAKING 🚨 ORG has carried out a 6-month investigation into AI use in the UK asylum system. We've found high error rates and claimants unaware that AI is being used. This could have catastrophic consequences for people whose future is in the hands of Home Office decision-making. Read more ⬇️

independent.co.ukAI tool used in thousands of asylum claims failing basic accuracy testsExclusive: MPs, charities and rights group warn that accuracy should not be sacrificed for speed in ‘life and death’ asylum decisions
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

One of the two AI tools being used by the Home Office to speed up asylum decision-making is to summarise interviews held with claimants. Our investigation reveals that the number of sampled summaries found not fit for purpose is significantly higher than the 9% figure in the pilot evaluation.

Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

Despite the accuracy failings in AI generated summaries, these tools have been rolled out to all asylum decision-makers. Not only is the error rate greater than previously reported, our investigation has found that these tools are being used without proper testing, quality assurance and training.

Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

The social media ban is coming. That means every adult having to show their ID to get online. Age verification puts privacy at risk. Curbs freedom of expression. And simply doesn't work to keep kids safe online. The government needs to change course. But the clock is ticking. Sign the petition ⬇️

action.openrightsgroup.orgSay No to ID for online accessProtect people. Regulate powerful platforms. Keep the internet open. The Government is planning to introduce tough new laws that require all adults to show ID to access to go online. They say this is ...
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

There are better ways to protect children online: ⚫️ Tackle business models that reward engagement maximisation ⚫️ Restrict intrusive profiling and behavioural advertising ⚫️ Mandate giving people control over recommender systems and feeds ⚫️ Support social media models that put people in control

Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

Body cams change people's "ability to feel at ease in public life". ORG's @sarahlasoye.bsky.social told the BBC that there are "lots of different parts of our private life that now are subject to intrusion." We can't drift into a situation of roaming mass surveillance from high street to car park.

bbc.co.ukHull parking wardens hope body cams will end abuse and harassmentEnforcement officers in Hull say abuse and inappropriate behaviour has become their "normal".
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

Live facial recognition. A waste of time. Waste of money. And, crucially, lays waste to our rights. For the supposed golden goose of digital policing to spit out one (false positive) match is an indictment of this invasive tech. Tech and surveillance aren't the solution to complex social problems.

theguardian.comTrial of live facial recognition in London stations ends with a false positive and no arrestsFreedom of information request finds six-month trial cost £320,000, used almost 100 police hours and led to just one – incorrect – alert
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

Hey Bristol, the #SafetyNotSurveillance townhall event is coming up THIS WEEK. Join us as we delve into the so-called 'crime-predicting' tech and AI being used by Avon & Somerset Police. 🗓️ 1 October 🕧 6-9pm 📍 The Pickle Factory Register now ⬇️ @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social @libertyhq.bsky.social

openrightsgroup.orgSafety Not Surveillance Bristol TownhallJoin the #SafetyNotSurveillance coalition in Bristol as we explore how AI and ‘crime-predicting’ technologies are currently being used by Avon and Somerset Police, the harms and risks of their continu...
Open Rights Group@openrightsgroup.org

More police forces are using so-called 'predictive' tech. @wired.com reveals how algorithms used by Avon & Somerset Police scored people by their 'risk' of offending from multiple databases of sensitive information. These models have been plagued with inaccuracy and 'poor predictive performance'.

wired.comBritish Police Built a Sprawling Crime-Prediction Machine. Some Results Couldn’t Be TrustedAs UK police embrace the AI revolution, a WIRED investigation reveals the messy inside story of one region’s experiment with predictive analytics.
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Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

We’re clear that “Prevent has expanded far beyond its stated aim of identifying people considered “vulnerable to radicalisation”, and has increasingly been used to justify extensive surveillance.” Criticising the programme for its many faults shouldn’t lead to getting put on a database.

Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

We denounce the “troubling lack of transparency about what happens to the information gathered through this social media monitoring [by the Standards and Compliance Unit]: how long it is retained, who it is shared with, and ultimately what the government is using it for.” #Prevent

Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

TONIGHT 🔔 Come along to the Manchester townhall event, starting at 6pm. Food and refreshments provided 😋 Sign up now ⬇️

Open Rights Group@openrightsgroup.org

THIS THURSDAY ⏰ The #SafetyNotSurveillance coalition is coming to Manchester for the next townhall event. Find out about how GMP is using AI and live facial recognition, such as recently at Manchester Carnival. 🗓️ 24 Sep 🕧 6-9pm 📍 Central Hall Sign up ⬇️ www.openrightsgroup.org/events/safet...

openrightsgroup.orgSafety Not Surveillance Manchester TownhallJoin the #SafetyNotSurveillance coalition in Manchester as we explore how AI and ‘crime-predicting’ technologies are currently being used by Greater Manchester Police, the harms and risks of their con...
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

Reports of Discord being blocked by some ISPs in the Philippines are concerning. Protecting children should mean targeted, proportionate measure not disrupting lawful communication. #Discord #StopKillingtheInternet unbox.ph/news/globe-g...

unbox.phGlobe, GOMO, DITO has blocked DiscordAfter the CICC threatened Discord and Reddit to set up a presence in the Philippines in 24 hours or else face consequences, accessing Discord has become dodgy. We can confirm that Discord is blocked…

Open Rights Group reposted

Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

THIS THURSDAY ⏰ The #SafetyNotSurveillance coalition is coming to Manchester for the next townhall event. Find out about how GMP is using AI and live facial recognition, such as recently at Manchester Carnival. 🗓️ 24 Sep 🕧 6-9pm 📍 Central Hall Sign up ⬇️ www.openrightsgroup.org/events/safet...

openrightsgroup.orgSafety Not Surveillance Manchester TownhallJoin the #SafetyNotSurveillance coalition in Manchester as we explore how AI and ‘crime-predicting’ technologies are currently being used by Greater Manchester Police, the harms and risks of their con...
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

THIS THURSDAY ⏰ The #SafetyNotSurveillance coalition is coming to Manchester for the next townhall event. Find out about how GMP is using AI and live facial recognition, such as recently at Manchester Carnival. 🗓️ 24 Sep 🕧 6-9pm 📍 Central Hall Sign up ⬇️ www.openrightsgroup.org/events/safet...

openrightsgroup.orgSafety Not Surveillance Manchester TownhallJoin the #SafetyNotSurveillance coalition in Manchester as we explore how AI and ‘crime-predicting’ technologies are currently being used by Greater Manchester Police, the harms and risks of their con...

Open Rights Group reposted

Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

New opportunity to work with ORG 🚀 We're looking for an independent consultant or small consultancy to produce a report for organisations to reduce their dependence on large technology infrastructure providers and towards a collaborative open source model. Closing date: 30 September. Apply now ⬇️

openrightsgroup.orgConsultant OpportunityPublic-Sector Technology Exit and Collaborative Open Source Open Rights Group (ORG) is seeking an independent consultant or small consultancy to help produce an accessible report for UK government dep...
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

TONIGHT – Come along to our townhall event in London! The #SafetyNotSurveillance coalition is bringing the community together to delve into how the Met is using harmful AI and 'crime prediction' tech. Refreshments and food provided 😋 🕕 6-9pm 📍The Liberation Centre, Brixton Register your place ⬇️

openrightsgroup.orgSafety Not Surveillance London TownhallJoin the #SafetyNotSurveillance coalition in London as we explore how AI and ‘crime-predicting’ technologies are currently being used by the Met, the harms and risks of their continues roll out, and w...
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

The EU Kids Act changes the "open nature of the internet and makes it a permission-based system where you are required to pass through an identity checkpoint to access information. Imposing the same complex compliance requirements on [small] services risks pushing them out." ORG's James Baker.

computerweekly.comTech companies under fire as Europe proposes social media ban for under-15s | Computer WeeklyEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says technology platforms will have to prove they are safe before children can access them.
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

New opportunity to work with ORG 🚀 We're looking for an independent consultant or small consultancy to produce a report for organisations to reduce their dependence on large technology infrastructure providers and towards a collaborative open source model. Closing date: 30 September. Apply now ⬇️

openrightsgroup.orgConsultant OpportunityPublic-Sector Technology Exit and Collaborative Open Source Open Rights Group (ORG) is seeking an independent consultant or small consultancy to help produce an accessible report for UK government dep...

Open Rights Group reposted

Clive Lewis MP
@labourlewis.bsky.social

I spoke at a roundtable put on by @openrightsgroup.org to discuss the UK’s digital sovereignty. We spoke about the urgent need for the government to reduce dependence on Big Tech firms and looked at alternatives such as open-source technology that could help us get there. (1/3)

Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

Coming up this week 🔔 It's the first of a series of townhall events delivered by the #SafetyNotSurveillance coalition. Join us in London to explore how AI and ‘crime-predicting’ technologies are currently being used by the Met. 🗓️ Thurs 17 September 🕕 6-9pm 📍The Liberation Centre Register now ⬇️

openrightsgroup.orgSafety Not Surveillance London TownhallJoin the #SafetyNotSurveillance coalition in London as we explore how AI and ‘crime-predicting’ technologies are currently being used by the Met, the harms and risks of their continues roll out, and w...
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup.org

“If adults are required to go through an ID check point to disable [nudity scanning] software then millions of people could be faced with either compromising their privacy or having a phone they paid for restricted by blocking software.” 💬 ORG's James Baker on the latest online safety announcement.

computerweekly.comGovernment to force tech companies to verify age of users to protect children | Computer WeeklyPhone and tablet users will be required to verify their ages with credit card or official ID under government plans to prevent under-18s viewing nude images.  The government is to introduce legislatio...