The assigned chapter for Virginia Eubank’s “Automating Inequality” discussed introduced the idea that technology could be used to disenfranchise the poor. Eubanks partner, John was unable to get medical insurance after suffering a savage beating, due to what the company described as an “error” and what Eubanks described as an algorithm that marked John as a risky person to provide coverage to.
This story bares some resemblance to recent news about Aramark’s correctional facilities’ services, where it was discovered that Aramark supplied food that was filled with vermin and was low- quality. Additionally, Aramark employees were discovered to be leveraging their power over the prison’s population, forcing them to perform sexual tasks and other deeds. In both cases, a vulnerable demographic is left to the whims of a higher power. John needed the coverage in order get treatment, and prisoners have no choice in choosing their food, or the workers that they interact with.