Revealing Algorithmic Rankers

By Julia Stoyanovich (Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Drexel University) and Ellen P. Goodman (Professor, Rutgers Law School).  This post is derived from their recent Freedom to Tinker post. ProPublica’s story on “machine bias” in an algorithm used for sentencing defendants amplified calls to make algorithms more transparent and accountable.  It has never been more … Continue reading Revealing Algorithmic Rankers

Win Against Cynical Use of First Amendment to Trash Warning Labels

We have been looking at what’s happening in the Bay Area to municipal regulations that would require warning labels on soda and cell phones.  Industry claims that these warning labels violate their First Amendment rights by compelling speech.  The cities contend that they are factual and uncontroversial disclosures on commercial speech, and raise only trivial First … Continue reading Win Against Cynical Use of First Amendment to Trash Warning Labels

Soda Industry Attacks Added Sugar Disclosure in Obesity Wars

Here come the First Amendment challenges to new governmental battles against “added sugars” in the war against obesity.  Last week, the FDA sought comment on its proposal to require nutritional labels to list “added sugars” – that is, sugars that have been added to the packaged food and are not naturally occurring. The goal is … Continue reading Soda Industry Attacks Added Sugar Disclosure in Obesity Wars