HMRC admits it uses AI to spy on taxpayers’ social media posts
HMRC has admitted it uses artificial intelligence (AI) to spy on taxpayers’ social media posts.
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The tax authority inspects the financial records of workers, as well as delving into their spending habits and tax returns to look for evidence of cheating – as well as posts on the internet.
A spokesperson said the tools were only deployed for social media monitoring in criminal investigations with “robust safeguards in place”.
It is understood this has been the case for several years, and all uses of the controversial technology by the tax office are above board, in terms of the law.
The tools used to examine social media in criminal cases exist alongside Connect - a separate IT system used by HMRC to examine financial data for routine tax investigation. The Connect system was developed over a decade ago.
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Compliance officers working at HMRC have also been given AI assistants which are used to look through data.
Ministers think this will make the department better at spotting potential tax evasion.
However, there are concerns HMRC could use AI for other means in future.
Bob Blackman, a senior Conservative MP, said: "If they suddenly start taking legal action against individuals based on that, it seems draconian and very challenging – to put it mildly.
"You’ve got to have a check and balance. The risk is that AI gets it wrong and someone is pilloried – it seems a bit strange if they start doing that with AI. Without a human check, you can see there’s going to be a problem."
A HMRC spokesman said: "Use of AI for social media monitoring is restricted to criminal investigations and subject to legal oversight. AI supports our processes but – like all effective use of this new technology – it has robust safeguards in place and does not replace human decision-making.
"Greater use of AI will enable our staff to spend less time on admin and more time helping taxpayers, as well as better target fraud and evasion to bring in more money for public services."