Transparency and accountability of government algorithms: the case of the Brazilian electronic voting system

Abstract In recent years a number of open data movements have emerged around the world, ensuring citizens more opportunities to access information, transparency being a factor associated with trust in public organizations and government. The transparency in algorithms translates into the knowledge of the steps performed and the criteria adopted to obtain a certain result. The objective of this study is to identify the characteristics of transparency and accountability of the Brazilian electronic voting system. Through the case study, recommendations and good practices of transparency in algorithms were examined with the particularities of the Brazilian electronic voting system, which provides control and oversight to society. This study advances the discussion on the influence of new technologies on democracy, placing the Brazilian electronic voting system within the limits of transparency and accountability of algorithms and the government in general.

摘要 近年来全球涌现出诸多开放数据运动，为公民获取信息提供了更多渠道；透明度是与公众对公共组织及政府的信任度密切相关的核心要素。算法透明度具体指知悉生成特定结果所执行的步骤及采用的判定准则。本研究旨在明确巴西电子投票系统的透明度与问责制特征。本研究通过案例研究，结合巴西电子投票系统面向社会提供管控与监督的特性，对算法透明度相关的建议与最佳实践展开了研讨。本研究推进了关于新技术对民主影响的讨论，将巴西电子投票系统置于算法与广义政府的透明度及问责制框架内进行审视。