What is automated individual decision-making and profiling?
Automated individual decision-making is a decision made by automated means without any human involvement.
Examples of this include:
- an online decision to award a loan
- a recruitment aptitude test which uses pre-programmed algorithms and criteria.
Automated individual decision-making does not have to involve profiling, although it often will do.
When can the Council carry out this type of processing?
Solely automated individual decision-making, including profiling, with legal or similarly significant effects is restricted, although this restriction can be lifted in certain circumstances.
We can only carry out solely automated decision-making with legal or similarly significant effects if the decision is:
- necessary for entering into or performance of a contract between an organisation and the individual
- authorised by law (for example, for the purposes of fraud or tax evasion), or
- based on the individual’s explicit consent
Submitting a request
An Information Rights Request under GDPR may be submitted in either of the following ways:
- By submitting the online form
- By writing to Information Governance, Somerset Council, Council Offices, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BT
You must include your full name, a return address and details of the information that you are requesting. Somerset Council has a duty to verify the identity of requesters, and consequently you may be asked to provide proof of your identity.
Useful forms
Please use the below form for requesting information rights in relation to automated decision making and profiling