Dr Chris Wales, a former adviser to Gordon Brown, warns that HMRC may soon use artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor individuals' and businesses' financial activities without their consent. He pointed to the Spanish tax authority's model, which allows extensive data collection, as a potential blueprint for the UK. Wales expressed concern over the lack of parliamentary debate on these powers. An HMRC spokesperson defended their practices, asserting that data collection is governed by strict legal safeguards and that AI supports, but does not replace, human oversight.
