EMILY ALPERT REYES for the LA Times:
It pulls data from eight county agencies to pinpoint whom to assist, looking at a broad range of data in county systems: Who has landed in the emergency room. Who has been booked in jail. Who has suffered a psychiatric crisis that led to hospitalization. Who has gotten cash aid or food benefits — and who has listed a county office as their “home address” for such programs, an indicator that often means they were homeless at the time.
A computer model predicts who will become homeless in L.A. Then these workers step in
That’s a lot of sensitive personal data. The word “privacy” does not appear in the article.
Data is of course exceptionally helpful in making sure money and resources are applied efficiently. (See also personalized advertising.)
This seems great, so… ok?