CAMPAIGNERS have accused the government of slipping amendments into the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill that grant welfare surveillance powers.

The amendments will enable the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to spy on the bank accounts of anyone receiving benefits, according to the Open Rights Group.

The targets could include the 12.6 million people on the state pension, as well as those who claim child benefit, universal credit and disability living allowance.

The campaigners fear that the financial information could be employed by AI, which they say has an algorithmic bias, to make unjustified allegations of welfare fraud.

In 2021, the DWP received backlash over an algorithm which was said to have discriminated against people with disabilities.

Open Rights Group legal and policy officer Mariano delli Santi said: “Welfare surveillance further stigmatises people who receive benefits, many of whom already face discrimination and negative stereotyping.

“It could lead to some of the most vulnerable people facing unjust accusations of fraud and potentially having their benefits removed and their lives destroyed.”

To fight the legislation, the group has launched a campaign called “Stop the data grab Bill” to defend privacy protections.

The DWP has been contacted for comment.