Source: Center for Human Rights and Global Justice, NYU School of Law
Author: Youssef Farhat, 14 December 2021 (modified August 2024)
URL: https://chrgj.org/2021-12-14-transformer-states-colombia/
Originally, SISBEN (System of Possible Beneficiaries of Social Programs) classified Colombians by vulnerability through expert-conducted household interviews. The system assessed access to basic services like water, sanitation, education, and employment, rating individuals on a scale of 1-100.
In 2016, authorities introduced a secret algorithm that fundamentally shifted the approach. Rather than documenting actual conditions, the new system "sought instead to create detailed profiles about what a person could earn," focusing on predicted income generation capacity rather than existing circumstances.
During COVID-19, the government launched unconditional cash transfers reaching nearly 3 million people within weeks. Recipients didn't apply; eligible individuals automatically received payments.
The program relied on data-sharing agreements with 34 public and private databases, including companies like Experian and Transunion. Authorities cross-referenced information to exclude those deemed not requiring assistance.
Opacity: The algorithm remained confidential. Officials claimed disclosure would enable fraud and cause economic disruption.
Technocratic Approach: Decisions about eligibility were made "from above" without community participation or political discussion.
Rights Erosion: Recipients perceived payments as "lucky gifts" rather than entitlements, shifting away from rights-based social protection frameworks.
Researchers emphasized the need to involve communities and prioritize transparency in redesigning such systems.