Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what safeguard assessments have been put in place to prevent AI profiling of demographics while investigating fraud, as a result of the Quantexa deal.

HMRC applies robust data protection, ethical, legal and security frameworks to any use of artificial intelligence across all its activities, including in areas such as fraud investigation and any technology it employs. These tools are used to support HMRC’s ability to understand and better serve customers effectively across tax and excise regimes, using the data it lawfully holds.

HMRC collects only the data necessary for the administration of the tax system and does not routinely collect demographic or protected characteristics data.
HMRC’s approach to assurance is ongoing rather than one-off. Our use of

Quantexa and any inbuilt AI is subject to close monitoring and evaluation throughout the lifecycle to ensure compliance with legal, data protection requirements and alignment with HMRC’s ethical standards and operational objectives.