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Algorithmic regulation: A critical interrogation

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  • Karen Yeung

Abstract

Innovations in networked digital communications technologies, including the rise of “Big Data,” ubiquitous computing, and cloud storage systems, may be giving rise to a new system of social ordering known as algorithmic regulation. Algorithmic regulation refers to decisionmaking systems that regulate a domain of activity in order to manage risk or alter behavior through continual computational generation of knowledge by systematically collecting data (in real time on a continuous basis) emitted directly from numerous dynamic components pertaining to the regulated environment in order to identify and, if necessary, automatically refine (or prompt refinement of) the system's operations to attain a pre‐specified goal. This study provides a descriptive analysis of algorithmic regulation, classifying these decisionmaking systems as either reactive or pre‐emptive, and offers a taxonomy that identifies eight different forms of algorithmic regulation based on their configuration at each of the three stages of the cybernetic process: notably, at the level of standard setting (adaptive vs. fixed behavioral standards), information‐gathering and monitoring (historic data vs. predictions based on inferred data), and at the level of sanction and behavioral change (automatic execution vs. recommender systems). It maps the contours of several emerging debates surrounding algorithmic regulation, drawing upon insights from regulatory governance studies, legal critiques, surveillance studies, and critical data studies to highlight various concerns about the legitimacy of algorithmic regulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Karen Yeung, 2018. "Algorithmic regulation: A critical interrogation," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 12(4), pages 505-523, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:reggov:v:12:y:2018:i:4:p:505-523
    DOI: 10.1111/rego.12158
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    2. Ulbricht, Lena, 2020. "Algorithmen und Politisierung [Algorithms and politicization]," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 0, pages 255-278.
    3. Marta Fana & Davide Villani, 2023. "Is it all the same? Types of innovation and their relationship with direct control, technical control and algorithmic management," European Journal of Industrial Relations, , vol. 29(4), pages 367-391, December.
    4. Eleni Kosta, 2022. "Algorithmic state surveillance: Challenging the notion of agency in human rights," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(1), pages 212-224, January.
    5. Ulbricht, Lena, 2020. "Scraping the demos. Digitalization, web scraping and the democratic project," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 27(3), pages 426-442.
    6. Fleur Johns & Caroline Compton, 2022. "Data jurisdictions and rival regimes of algorithmic regulation," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(1), pages 63-84, January.
    7. Dolata, Ulrich, 2020. "Internet – Platforms – Regulation: Coordination of Markets and Curation of Sociality," Research Contributions to Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies, SOI Discussion Papers 2020-02, University of Stuttgart, Institute for Social Sciences, Department of Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies.
    8. Carl Gahnberg, 2021. "What rules? Framing the governance of artificial agency [The wrong kind of AI? Artificial intelligence and the future of labour demand]," Policy and Society, Darryl S. Jarvis and M. Ramesh, vol. 40(2), pages 194-210.
    9. Teichmann, Fabian & Boticiu, Sonia & Sergi, Bruno S., 2023. "RegTech – Potential benefits and challenges for businesses," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    10. Jeroen van der Heijden, 2022. "The Value of Systems Thinking for and in Regulatory Governance: An Evidence Synthesis," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, June.
    11. Dolata, Ulrich & Schrape, Jan-Felix, 2022. "Platform architectures: The structuration of platform companies on the Internet," Research Contributions to Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies, SOI Discussion Papers 2022-01, University of Stuttgart, Institute for Social Sciences, Department of Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies.
    12. Raphaël Gellert, 2022. "Comparing definitions of data and information in data protection law and machine learning: A useful way forward to meaningfully regulate algorithms?," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(1), pages 156-176, January.
    13. Schwarting, Rena & Ulbricht, Lena, 2022. "Why Organization Matters in “Algorithmic Discrimination” [Warum Organisationen einen Unterschied bei „algorithmischer Diskriminierung“ machen]," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 74(S1), pages 307-330.
    14. Bryce Clayton Newell, 2023. "Surveillance as information practice," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 74(4), pages 444-460, April.
    15. Dolata, Ulrich, 2020. "Internet – Plattformen – Regulierung: Koordination von Märkten und Kuratierung von Sozialität," Research Contributions to Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies, SOI Discussion Papers 2020-01, University of Stuttgart, Institute for Social Sciences, Department of Organizational Sociology and Innovation Studies.

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