Increased datafication of debt raises ethical questions and calls for a new approach to regulating lending
Throughout history, society has debated the morality of debt. In ancient times, debtborrowing from another on the promise of repaymentwas viewed in many cultures as sinful, with lending at interest especially repugnant. The concern that borrowers would become overindebted and enslaved to lenders meant that debts were routinely forgiven. These concerns continue to influence perceptions of lending and the regulation of credit markets today. Consider the prohibition against charging interest in Islamic finance and interest rate caps on payday lenderscompanies that offer high-cost, short-term loans. Likewise, proponents…
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