Automating Injustice: “Predictive” policing in Germany
The police, criminal justice authorities, and prisons in Germany are increasingly exploring digital possibilities for "predicting" and "preventing" crimes. The report Automating Injustice gives an overview of such systems being developed and deployed in Germany.
The operational use of AI-driven data analysis by the police and criminal justice authorities, including so-called geographic crime prediction and individual profiling, has been significantly increasing in recent years. German prisons have also been seeking to deploy “predictive” algorithmic systems.
This report examines selected systems developed or used in Germany by police, criminal justice authorities, and prisons. It analyzes publicly available information on such practices and explains how the systems work, what data they use, as well as how they can reinforce and exacerbate discrimination and other fundamental risks.
Many of the controversial systems are developed, tested, or operated without an adequate legal basis. Drawing from empirical cases in Germany, the report provides policy recommendations for a more robust legal framework and stronger safeguards for algorithmic policing practices in Germany.
In addition to this report, we published an explainer on predictive policing.
Read more on our policy & advocacy work on biometric recognition.