By Cary Shepherd on 2026-09-15
You apply for an apartment and get a rejection email within minutes. A loan application is denied by a system no human seems to have looked at. A job application disappears into an automated screening tool. More and more of the decisions that shape people's lives are made, or heavily influenced, by algorithms.
Automated does not mean unaccountable. Several laws give you rights when an algorithm says no.
The Right to Know Why
- Credit decisions. Under the federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act, a creditor that denies your application must give you the specific principal reasons. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has made clear that this applies even when a creditor uses a complex algorithm; "the computer said no" is not a reason.
- Background and consumer reports. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, if a landlord, employer, or lender takes action against you based on a consumer report, such as a tenant screening or background check, they must tell you, identify the company that provided the report, and explain your right to get a free copy and dispute errors.
Errors Are Common
Screening reports can mix up people with similar names, include records that should have been removed, or report debts inaccurately. You have the right to dispute inaccurate information with the reporting company, which must generally investigate. You can get your credit reports free at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Illinois Protections in Hiring
Illinois has been a leader here. The Artificial Intelligence Video Interview Act requires employers that use AI to analyze video interviews to notify applicants and get consent. And amendments to the Illinois Human Rights Act that took effect January 1, 2026 address employers' use of AI that has a discriminatory effect, and require notice when AI is used for certain employment decisions.
What You Can Do
- Ask for the reasons in writing, and keep every notice you receive.
- Request the report the decision was based on and review it line by line.
- Dispute errors in writing and keep copies.
- Write down the timeline: when you applied, what you were told, and by whom.
AI tools can help here too: ask an assistant to compare a screening report against your own records and list every discrepancy.
Fighting Algorithmic Bias
When an automated system treats whole groups of people unfairly, proving it takes data. Statistical analysis of who gets approved and who gets denied can reveal patterns that no single applicant could see. That is the kind of data-driven advocacy Shepherd Law was built for. If you believe an automated decision treated you unfairly, contact us.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every situation is different; for advice about yours, contact us.