Meaning of the computer says no | Babel Free

Definitions

Phrase. [C2]

Examples

“This was no human assessor, however: just an algorithm triggered by what was considered an ‘out of character transaction’. The computer says no. My subsequent demand⟳ that the bank reimburse me for the extra cost⟳ I had incurred as a result⟳ of its software vetoing my first purchase⟳ attempt⟳, was, needless to say⟳, rejected.”

“My bank accounts were still under my old name⟳, which legally no longer existed. For months I had to carry⟳ around a large folder containing my old ID and a copy⟳ of the court order⟳ declaring my name⟳ change⟳. Even then, human clerks and bank tellers would sometimes see⟳ the discrepancy, shrug and say⟳ “the computer says no” while denying me access to my accounts.”

“What if, the next time he needs to renew his passport for a family holiday, the computer says no? How can he be sure his life won’t unravel in some faceless official’s hands?”

“Vardag, one of the UK’s highest-paid divorce lawyers, said the judge⟳ had reached a “bad decision” and that he had “decided, effectively, ‘the computer says no, you’re divorced’”.”

CEFR level