Report Essential

Défenseur des droits — algorithmes reports (2020 and 2024)

Digital rights & policy AI in public services Bias & discrimination

What can I learn?

Two flagship reports — Algorithmes: prévenir l'automatisation des discriminations (with CNIL) and Algorithmes, IA et services publics (2024) — mapping citizen rights regarding algorithmic decisions in Parcoursup, recruitment, and facial recognition.

Core insight

Citizens have concrete, enforceable rights when algorithms make consequential decisions about them — including the right to explanation, the right to human review, and the right to contest.

How to use it in daily work

Gives you the legal framework for helping clients challenge algorithmic decisions made by public services.

  • When a client is denied housing or benefits by an automated system, these reports tell you exactly what rights they have and what recourse is available.
  • When a young person does not understand their Parcoursup result, you can explain the legal obligations around transparency and the right to request human review.

Time

Executive summary: 30 minutes. Full report: 2–3 hours.

Cost

Free PDF