When does the law require an algorithmic decision to be explained? A number of laws (GDPR, competition law, consumer protection) require companies to be transparent, fair and provide explanations for decisions they make. These obligations are usually justified because of asymmetries in market power or information. For public administrations, the obligation to provide explanations has constitutional roots.

In this video, Winston Maxwell, director of law and technology studies at Télécom Paris, presents the legal foundations for the need to provide algorithmic explanations.