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  3. I suspect most people outside of the UK won't have heard about the post office scandal, but it seems highly relevant to learn about now (given *waves* this):

I suspect most people outside of the UK won't have heard about the post office scandal, but it seems highly relevant to learn about now (given *waves* this):

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  • rradczewski@hachyderm.ioR rradczewski@hachyderm.io

    I suspect most people outside of the UK won't have heard about the post office scandal, but it seems highly relevant to learn about now (given *waves* this):

    For over 15 years, the software post offices in the UK had to use contained severe bugs, particular in accounting, that everyone at Fujitsu/horizon and the post blissfully ignored. Over 900 (!!!) postmasters were sentenced for alleged theft and fraud, some went to jail, some committed suicide. All because the software was shit and everyone who could do something about it didn't care and swept it under the rug.

    Everything, including how it was uncovered, about this seems bizarre and Kafkaesque, but we better prepare for it to happen more often.

    Link Preview Image
    British Post Office scandal - Wikipedia

    favicon

    (en.wikipedia.org)

    Conor Mc Bride (@pigworker@types.pl)

    People seem to have learned NOTHING from the Post Office Horizon Scandal. The AI bubble is PREDICATED on software productivity being prioritised over anything being any good. PEOPLE WILL DIE.

    favicon

    types.pl (types.pl)

    svines@gts.svines.rodeoS This user is from outside of this forum
    svines@gts.svines.rodeoS This user is from outside of this forum
    svines@gts.svines.rodeo
    wrote last edited by
    #21

    @rradczewski so much this! I just read a blog post advocating for no longer checking for bugs because AI can code review better than humans can and this was the very next thing I saw. This unhinged AI mania is going to hurt people

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • shadedlady@mstdn.socialS shadedlady@mstdn.social

      @sleepingexplorer @pietkuip @rradczewski you are wrong about it not being comparable. The problem was not just because of people hunting down fraud, but also because the targets were picked by an algorithm (i.e. software). It completely destroyed peoples lives, also of their children. And to be clear - most of the targets were absolutely innocent. The algorithm used things like the area were they lived, the type of job they had and used racial profiling

      sleepingexplorer@mastodon.socialS This user is from outside of this forum
      sleepingexplorer@mastodon.socialS This user is from outside of this forum
      sleepingexplorer@mastodon.social
      wrote last edited by
      #22

      @Shadedlady @pietkuip @rradczewski I did not dispute that it was awful.
      But I do not believe you can look into Horizon in any depth and think they are similar.

      1 Reply Last reply
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      • rradczewski@hachyderm.ioR rradczewski@hachyderm.io

        I suspect most people outside of the UK won't have heard about the post office scandal, but it seems highly relevant to learn about now (given *waves* this):

        For over 15 years, the software post offices in the UK had to use contained severe bugs, particular in accounting, that everyone at Fujitsu/horizon and the post blissfully ignored. Over 900 (!!!) postmasters were sentenced for alleged theft and fraud, some went to jail, some committed suicide. All because the software was shit and everyone who could do something about it didn't care and swept it under the rug.

        Everything, including how it was uncovered, about this seems bizarre and Kafkaesque, but we better prepare for it to happen more often.

        Link Preview Image
        British Post Office scandal - Wikipedia

        favicon

        (en.wikipedia.org)

        Conor Mc Bride (@pigworker@types.pl)

        People seem to have learned NOTHING from the Post Office Horizon Scandal. The AI bubble is PREDICATED on software productivity being prioritised over anything being any good. PEOPLE WILL DIE.

        favicon

        types.pl (types.pl)

        alan@lighthouse.co.imA This user is from outside of this forum
        alan@lighthouse.co.imA This user is from outside of this forum
        alan@lighthouse.co.im
        wrote last edited by
        #23

        @rradczewski @aral Watch Mr Bates v The Post Office. ITV four part drama if you want to know more. The government is still dragging its heels over the compensations payments. 236 subpostmasters went to jail over the faulty Horizon software made by Fujitsu, over a 1000 prosecuted. 13 Suicides 10 attempts……

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        • tezoatlipoca@mas.toT tezoatlipoca@mas.to

          @deech @rradczewski There's a miniseries with some big name UK actors in it that was quite engrossing. Toby Jones as Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr_Bates_vs_The_Post_Office

          ronnylam@mastodon.socialR This user is from outside of this forum
          ronnylam@mastodon.socialR This user is from outside of this forum
          ronnylam@mastodon.social
          wrote last edited by
          #24

          @tezoatlipoca @deech @rradczewski recommended!

          angelascholder@mastodon.energyA 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • stalbaum@mastodon.socialS stalbaum@mastodon.social

            @rradczewski yes I have heard of this, on a pod I think. (San Diego CA USA.) Disgusting and, uh, well I already said where I am so... It made me sad leave it there ...

            emue@mastodon.designE This user is from outside of this forum
            emue@mastodon.designE This user is from outside of this forum
            emue@mastodon.design
            wrote last edited by
            #25

            @stalbaum @rradczewski
            The series Mr Bates vs the post office tells this story beautifully

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • rradczewski@hachyderm.ioR rradczewski@hachyderm.io

              I suspect most people outside of the UK won't have heard about the post office scandal, but it seems highly relevant to learn about now (given *waves* this):

              For over 15 years, the software post offices in the UK had to use contained severe bugs, particular in accounting, that everyone at Fujitsu/horizon and the post blissfully ignored. Over 900 (!!!) postmasters were sentenced for alleged theft and fraud, some went to jail, some committed suicide. All because the software was shit and everyone who could do something about it didn't care and swept it under the rug.

              Everything, including how it was uncovered, about this seems bizarre and Kafkaesque, but we better prepare for it to happen more often.

              Link Preview Image
              British Post Office scandal - Wikipedia

              favicon

              (en.wikipedia.org)

              Conor Mc Bride (@pigworker@types.pl)

              People seem to have learned NOTHING from the Post Office Horizon Scandal. The AI bubble is PREDICATED on software productivity being prioritised over anything being any good. PEOPLE WILL DIE.

              favicon

              types.pl (types.pl)

              thebuell@techhub.socialT This user is from outside of this forum
              thebuell@techhub.socialT This user is from outside of this forum
              thebuell@techhub.social
              wrote last edited by
              #26

              Weird how no one has been jailed for causing this mess .

              zemsgram@mstdn.socialZ 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • rradczewski@hachyderm.ioR rradczewski@hachyderm.io

                I suspect most people outside of the UK won't have heard about the post office scandal, but it seems highly relevant to learn about now (given *waves* this):

                For over 15 years, the software post offices in the UK had to use contained severe bugs, particular in accounting, that everyone at Fujitsu/horizon and the post blissfully ignored. Over 900 (!!!) postmasters were sentenced for alleged theft and fraud, some went to jail, some committed suicide. All because the software was shit and everyone who could do something about it didn't care and swept it under the rug.

                Everything, including how it was uncovered, about this seems bizarre and Kafkaesque, but we better prepare for it to happen more often.

                Link Preview Image
                British Post Office scandal - Wikipedia

                favicon

                (en.wikipedia.org)

                Conor Mc Bride (@pigworker@types.pl)

                People seem to have learned NOTHING from the Post Office Horizon Scandal. The AI bubble is PREDICATED on software productivity being prioritised over anything being any good. PEOPLE WILL DIE.

                favicon

                types.pl (types.pl)

                markhughes@mastodon.socialM This user is from outside of this forum
                markhughes@mastodon.socialM This user is from outside of this forum
                markhughes@mastodon.social
                wrote last edited by
                #27

                @rradczewski indeed, #GenAI / #LLMs and vibe coding are going to make this commonplace.

                What shocked me was that as this unfolded it was obviously a fuck up somewhere. So many sub postmasters being prosecuted for stealing tens of thousands of pounds without any evidence of where that money went... and nobody thought hang on, really?

                It was so obvious to me, but the system had no way to recognise and recover before it was obvious even to politicians.

                Politicians: let's make the system worse.

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • rradczewski@hachyderm.ioR rradczewski@hachyderm.io

                  I suspect most people outside of the UK won't have heard about the post office scandal, but it seems highly relevant to learn about now (given *waves* this):

                  For over 15 years, the software post offices in the UK had to use contained severe bugs, particular in accounting, that everyone at Fujitsu/horizon and the post blissfully ignored. Over 900 (!!!) postmasters were sentenced for alleged theft and fraud, some went to jail, some committed suicide. All because the software was shit and everyone who could do something about it didn't care and swept it under the rug.

                  Everything, including how it was uncovered, about this seems bizarre and Kafkaesque, but we better prepare for it to happen more often.

                  Link Preview Image
                  British Post Office scandal - Wikipedia

                  favicon

                  (en.wikipedia.org)

                  Conor Mc Bride (@pigworker@types.pl)

                  People seem to have learned NOTHING from the Post Office Horizon Scandal. The AI bubble is PREDICATED on software productivity being prioritised over anything being any good. PEOPLE WILL DIE.

                  favicon

                  types.pl (types.pl)

                  masek@infosec.exchangeM This user is from outside of this forum
                  masek@infosec.exchangeM This user is from outside of this forum
                  masek@infosec.exchange
                  wrote last edited by
                  #28

                  @rradczewski Outside UK but heard of it already while brewing.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • rradczewski@hachyderm.ioR rradczewski@hachyderm.io

                    I suspect most people outside of the UK won't have heard about the post office scandal, but it seems highly relevant to learn about now (given *waves* this):

                    For over 15 years, the software post offices in the UK had to use contained severe bugs, particular in accounting, that everyone at Fujitsu/horizon and the post blissfully ignored. Over 900 (!!!) postmasters were sentenced for alleged theft and fraud, some went to jail, some committed suicide. All because the software was shit and everyone who could do something about it didn't care and swept it under the rug.

                    Everything, including how it was uncovered, about this seems bizarre and Kafkaesque, but we better prepare for it to happen more often.

                    Link Preview Image
                    British Post Office scandal - Wikipedia

                    favicon

                    (en.wikipedia.org)

                    Conor Mc Bride (@pigworker@types.pl)

                    People seem to have learned NOTHING from the Post Office Horizon Scandal. The AI bubble is PREDICATED on software productivity being prioritised over anything being any good. PEOPLE WILL DIE.

                    favicon

                    types.pl (types.pl)

                    outer@mas.toO This user is from outside of this forum
                    outer@mas.toO This user is from outside of this forum
                    outer@mas.to
                    wrote last edited by
                    #29

                    @rradczewski DAMN! I had absolutely no idea!

                    Being thoroughly 'murican, most of the british news I see is about Royal Scandals.

                    I'd better finish reading that article. Then do it again. So many deaths. So much heartache.

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • rradczewski@hachyderm.ioR rradczewski@hachyderm.io

                      I suspect most people outside of the UK won't have heard about the post office scandal, but it seems highly relevant to learn about now (given *waves* this):

                      For over 15 years, the software post offices in the UK had to use contained severe bugs, particular in accounting, that everyone at Fujitsu/horizon and the post blissfully ignored. Over 900 (!!!) postmasters were sentenced for alleged theft and fraud, some went to jail, some committed suicide. All because the software was shit and everyone who could do something about it didn't care and swept it under the rug.

                      Everything, including how it was uncovered, about this seems bizarre and Kafkaesque, but we better prepare for it to happen more often.

                      Link Preview Image
                      British Post Office scandal - Wikipedia

                      favicon

                      (en.wikipedia.org)

                      Conor Mc Bride (@pigworker@types.pl)

                      People seem to have learned NOTHING from the Post Office Horizon Scandal. The AI bubble is PREDICATED on software productivity being prioritised over anything being any good. PEOPLE WILL DIE.

                      favicon

                      types.pl (types.pl)

                      blackminafz8@metalhead.clubB This user is from outside of this forum
                      blackminafz8@metalhead.clubB This user is from outside of this forum
                      blackminafz8@metalhead.club
                      wrote last edited by
                      #30

                      @rradczewski omg that's horrible!

                      1 Reply Last reply
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                      • rradczewski@hachyderm.ioR rradczewski@hachyderm.io

                        @pietkuip how so?

                        pietkuip@mastodon.nlP This user is from outside of this forum
                        pietkuip@mastodon.nlP This user is from outside of this forum
                        pietkuip@mastodon.nl
                        wrote last edited by
                        #31

                        @rradczewski
                        The belief in "the computer". The way people's entire lives and families were destroyed. The way all signs were disregarded at all levels, also by the judiciary.

                        And finally, parliamentary inquests.

                        (I am not deeply knowledgeable about either scandal. But I keep warning Swedes that want more hunting after fraud in social benefits, also by coupling different computer systems, algorithms etc.)

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • craig_groeschel@zeroes.caC craig_groeschel@zeroes.ca

                          @rradczewski
                          I really enjoyed the docudrama Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office. It was shown on PBS Masterpiece Theater over here.

                          outer@mas.toO This user is from outside of this forum
                          outer@mas.toO This user is from outside of this forum
                          outer@mas.to
                          wrote last edited by
                          #32

                          @craig_groeschel @rradczewski Thank you! I'm watching it tonight.
                          PBS Masterpiece Theater
                          The Real Story of Mr. Bates vs the Post Office
                          https://www.pbs.org/show/the-real-story-of-mr-bates-vs-the-post-office/
                          also, besides the documentary, there's an acclaimed PBS TV series, with top-notch actors, also about the whole affair. (THOUSANDS of people were unfairly attacked, sued and smeared.)
                          https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/shows/mr-bates-vs-the-post-office/
                          #History #Injustice #Law

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • rradczewski@hachyderm.ioR rradczewski@hachyderm.io

                            I suspect most people outside of the UK won't have heard about the post office scandal, but it seems highly relevant to learn about now (given *waves* this):

                            For over 15 years, the software post offices in the UK had to use contained severe bugs, particular in accounting, that everyone at Fujitsu/horizon and the post blissfully ignored. Over 900 (!!!) postmasters were sentenced for alleged theft and fraud, some went to jail, some committed suicide. All because the software was shit and everyone who could do something about it didn't care and swept it under the rug.

                            Everything, including how it was uncovered, about this seems bizarre and Kafkaesque, but we better prepare for it to happen more often.

                            Link Preview Image
                            British Post Office scandal - Wikipedia

                            favicon

                            (en.wikipedia.org)

                            Conor Mc Bride (@pigworker@types.pl)

                            People seem to have learned NOTHING from the Post Office Horizon Scandal. The AI bubble is PREDICATED on software productivity being prioritised over anything being any good. PEOPLE WILL DIE.

                            favicon

                            types.pl (types.pl)

                            iveyline@mastodon.nzI This user is from outside of this forum
                            iveyline@mastodon.nzI This user is from outside of this forum
                            iveyline@mastodon.nz
                            wrote last edited by
                            #33

                            @rradczewski It is a heart breaking story and those responsible have never been made to pay. The little guys who ran the post offices got shafted because big tech screwed up big time

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • rradczewski@hachyderm.ioR rradczewski@hachyderm.io

                              I suspect most people outside of the UK won't have heard about the post office scandal, but it seems highly relevant to learn about now (given *waves* this):

                              For over 15 years, the software post offices in the UK had to use contained severe bugs, particular in accounting, that everyone at Fujitsu/horizon and the post blissfully ignored. Over 900 (!!!) postmasters were sentenced for alleged theft and fraud, some went to jail, some committed suicide. All because the software was shit and everyone who could do something about it didn't care and swept it under the rug.

                              Everything, including how it was uncovered, about this seems bizarre and Kafkaesque, but we better prepare for it to happen more often.

                              Link Preview Image
                              British Post Office scandal - Wikipedia

                              favicon

                              (en.wikipedia.org)

                              Conor Mc Bride (@pigworker@types.pl)

                              People seem to have learned NOTHING from the Post Office Horizon Scandal. The AI bubble is PREDICATED on software productivity being prioritised over anything being any good. PEOPLE WILL DIE.

                              favicon

                              types.pl (types.pl)

                              n3wjack@mastodon.socialN This user is from outside of this forum
                              n3wjack@mastodon.socialN This user is from outside of this forum
                              n3wjack@mastodon.social
                              wrote last edited by
                              #34

                              @rradczewski Read an article about this ones (tech related). Quite baffling indeed.
                              Mind-blowing how they didn't take responsibility for the software flaws and destroyed human lives instead.

                              1 Reply Last reply
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                              • ronnylam@mastodon.socialR ronnylam@mastodon.social

                                @tezoatlipoca @deech @rradczewski recommended!

                                angelascholder@mastodon.energyA This user is from outside of this forum
                                angelascholder@mastodon.energyA This user is from outside of this forum
                                angelascholder@mastodon.energy
                                wrote last edited by
                                #35

                                @ronnylam @tezoatlipoca @deech @rradczewski Absolutely recommended.

                                1 Reply Last reply
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                                • rradczewski@hachyderm.ioR rradczewski@hachyderm.io

                                  I suspect most people outside of the UK won't have heard about the post office scandal, but it seems highly relevant to learn about now (given *waves* this):

                                  For over 15 years, the software post offices in the UK had to use contained severe bugs, particular in accounting, that everyone at Fujitsu/horizon and the post blissfully ignored. Over 900 (!!!) postmasters were sentenced for alleged theft and fraud, some went to jail, some committed suicide. All because the software was shit and everyone who could do something about it didn't care and swept it under the rug.

                                  Everything, including how it was uncovered, about this seems bizarre and Kafkaesque, but we better prepare for it to happen more often.

                                  Link Preview Image
                                  British Post Office scandal - Wikipedia

                                  favicon

                                  (en.wikipedia.org)

                                  Conor Mc Bride (@pigworker@types.pl)

                                  People seem to have learned NOTHING from the Post Office Horizon Scandal. The AI bubble is PREDICATED on software productivity being prioritised over anything being any good. PEOPLE WILL DIE.

                                  favicon

                                  types.pl (types.pl)

                                  angelascholder@mastodon.energyA This user is from outside of this forum
                                  angelascholder@mastodon.energyA This user is from outside of this forum
                                  angelascholder@mastodon.energy
                                  wrote last edited by
                                  #36

                                  @rradczewski And it's still dragging on.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
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                                  • tezoatlipoca@mas.toT tezoatlipoca@mas.to

                                    @deech @rradczewski There's a miniseries with some big name UK actors in it that was quite engrossing. Toby Jones as Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr_Bates_vs_The_Post_Office

                                    ivobathke@mastodon.greenI This user is from outside of this forum
                                    ivobathke@mastodon.greenI This user is from outside of this forum
                                    ivobathke@mastodon.green
                                    wrote last edited by
                                    #37

                                    @tezoatlipoca @deech @rradczewski Yep, on the continent this was streamed on ARTE last year. I enjoy most of UK style series, as a Software Developer this one in particular.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • rradczewski@hachyderm.ioR rradczewski@hachyderm.io

                                      I suspect most people outside of the UK won't have heard about the post office scandal, but it seems highly relevant to learn about now (given *waves* this):

                                      For over 15 years, the software post offices in the UK had to use contained severe bugs, particular in accounting, that everyone at Fujitsu/horizon and the post blissfully ignored. Over 900 (!!!) postmasters were sentenced for alleged theft and fraud, some went to jail, some committed suicide. All because the software was shit and everyone who could do something about it didn't care and swept it under the rug.

                                      Everything, including how it was uncovered, about this seems bizarre and Kafkaesque, but we better prepare for it to happen more often.

                                      Link Preview Image
                                      British Post Office scandal - Wikipedia

                                      favicon

                                      (en.wikipedia.org)

                                      Conor Mc Bride (@pigworker@types.pl)

                                      People seem to have learned NOTHING from the Post Office Horizon Scandal. The AI bubble is PREDICATED on software productivity being prioritised over anything being any good. PEOPLE WILL DIE.

                                      favicon

                                      types.pl (types.pl)

                                      jonpsp@mstdn.socialJ This user is from outside of this forum
                                      jonpsp@mstdn.socialJ This user is from outside of this forum
                                      jonpsp@mstdn.social
                                      wrote last edited by
                                      #38

                                      @rradczewski Private Eye worked to expose it for years https://www.private-eye.co.uk/special-reports/justice-lost-in-the-post

                                      1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • thebuell@techhub.socialT thebuell@techhub.social

                                        Weird how no one has been jailed for causing this mess .

                                        zemsgram@mstdn.socialZ This user is from outside of this forum
                                        zemsgram@mstdn.socialZ This user is from outside of this forum
                                        zemsgram@mstdn.social
                                        wrote last edited by
                                        #39

                                        @TheBuell This is exactly where AI is taking us. No one will take any responsibility for the errors created by AI and there will be no accountability.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
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                                        • rradczewski@hachyderm.ioR rradczewski@hachyderm.io

                                          @ftp_alun I can imagine people getting very excited that their fraud detection is getting better. That, and the inquiries also seem to suggest a good amount of racism and prejudice against postmasters.

                                          klefstadmyr@social.vivaldi.netK This user is from outside of this forum
                                          klefstadmyr@social.vivaldi.netK This user is from outside of this forum
                                          klefstadmyr@social.vivaldi.net
                                          wrote last edited by
                                          #40

                                          @rradczewski @ftp_alun Didn't the investigators get a bonus for every conviction?

                                          1 Reply Last reply
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