arXiv:2502.06439cs.SEcs.AI2025-02

审计意大利车险算法,发现出生地仍是最主要歧视因素。

Testing software for non-discrimination: an updated and extended audit in the Italian car insurance domain

  • 通过黑盒测试批量验证车险定价算法的公平性。
  • 出生地非意大利城市者保费显著更高,且可得报价数更少。
  • 适合关注算法公平性与合规审计的研究者与从业者。

随着软件系统深度融入社会基础设施,软件从业人员确保其满足非功能性需求的责任日益加重,其中包括安全、隐私及日益重要的非歧视性。公平的定价算法应保障基本服务的平等获取,避免基于受保护属性的歧视。本研究复现并扩展了一项先前针对意大利车险公司定价算法的实证审计,这些算法可通过主流在线平台访问。相比之前研究,我们增加了测试数量和分析的人口统计变量种类。结果表明,歧视现象持续存在:人口统计学特征仍显著影响定价,出生地为非意大利城市者仍是主要歧视对象。同时发现,驾驶人画像会影响用户可获得的报价数量,导致机会不均等。结论指出,对影响日常生活的软件系统进行非歧视性测试至关重要。定期执行算法审计有助于评估算法演进过程,也凸显了实证软件工程在提升系统问责性方面的作用。

原文摘要 · Abstract (English)

Context. As software systems become more integrated into society's infrastructure, the responsibility of software professionals to ensure compliance with various non-functional requirements increases. These requirements include security, safety, privacy, and, increasingly, non-discrimination. Motivation. Fairness in pricing algorithms grants equitable access to basic services without discriminating on the basis of protected attributes. Method. We replicate a previous empirical study that used black box testing to audit pricing algorithms used by Italian car insurance companies, accessible through a popular online system. With respect to the previous study, we enlarged the number of tests and the number of demographic variables under analysis. Results. Our work confirms and extends previous findings, highlighting the problematic permanence of discrimination across time: demographic variables significantly impact pricing to this day, with birthplace remaining the main discriminatory factor against individuals not born in Italian cities. We also found that driver profiles can determine the number of quotes available to the user, denying equal opportunities to all. Conclusion. The study underscores the importance of testing for non-discrimination in software systems that affect people's everyday lives. Performing algorithmic audits over time makes it possible to evaluate the evolution of such algorithms. It also demonstrates the role that empirical software engineering can play in making software systems more accountable.

算法审计公平性车险模型

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