A new report by the National Consumer Law Center dismisses claims by lending startups that their analysis of big data has allowed them to offer more affordable loans than payday lenders. The consumer advocates found that loans from startups offered effective annual interest rates of 134% to 749%, no better than traditional payday lenders. During loan underwriting, the startups examined variables including rent records, prior payday loan repayment and transactions with pawn shops. But red flags could also include social-media posts about a car breakdown, filling out an application in capital letters or even a user scrolling too quickly through the lender's website without reading materials. The FTC is set this week to discuss whether those algorithms are discriminatory or violate the privacy of borrowers.