# Digital Voodoo Dolls

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2105.02738 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2105.02738/

## Key facts

- Cited by 4 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 5 of its 75 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 6 May 2021.

## Builds on (most cited first, 5 of 5)

- [A Survey on Bias and Fairness in Machine Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1908.09635/) (2019)
- [Deep Neural Networks are Easily Fooled: High Confidence Predictions for Unrecognizable Images](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1412.1897/) (2014)
- [Multi-Objective Counterfactual Explanations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2004.11165/) (2020)
- [The Feasibility of Dynamically Granted Permissions: Aligning Mobile Privacy with User Preferences](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1703.02090/) (2017)
- [How smart does your profile image look? Estimating intelligence from social network profile images](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1606.09264/) (2016)

## Built on by (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [Automated detection of dark patterns in cookie banners: how to do it poorly and why it is hard to do it any other way](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2204.11836/) (2022)
- [Explainability for identification of vulnerable groups in machine learning models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2203.00317/) (2022)
- [Against Algorithmic Exploitation of Human Vulnerabilities](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2301.04993/) (2023)
- [Understanding Privacy by Formalizing It](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.20609/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

An institution, be it a body of government, commercial enterprise, or a service, cannot interact directly with a person. Instead, a model is created to represent us. We argue the existence of a new high-fidelity type of person model which we call a digital voodoo doll. We conceptualize it and compare its features with existing models of persons. Digital voodoo dolls are distinguished by existing completely beyond the influence and control of the person they represent. We discuss the ethical issues that such a lack of accountability creates and argue how these concerns can be mitigated.