18. The Transparency Paradox

Explain enough for legitimacy and recourse without creating a cheap evasion oracle.

Reader outcome

Separate public policy transparency, individual decision explanation, evidence disclosure, and defensive-mechanism secrecy.

Decision questions

• What must a user know to understand and contest a decision?
• Which detail would materially reduce defense cost for attackers?
• Can reasons be categorical while evidence is protected?
• How do explanations change for warnings, restrictions, and permanent removal?

Evidence needed

• Procedural-justice and explanation research
• Regulatory transparency requirements
• Security disclosure and gaming examples
• User trust and evasion outcomes