Increased disclosure of common credit scores California now requires it. Congress is talking about it. In the last 20 years, mortgages, auto loans and credit cards became mainstream consumer commodities. Lenders looked for easy ways to make lending decisions. FICO's immediate savings in lending costs and the big decrease in grew its popularity over the next 20 years.
Any score is very specific.
The score is based on credit bureau data. It was developed by looking at the reports and actual consumer experience. Combined with some information about a consumer's income, common scores made for quick lending decision-making. Public institutions supported the use of unbiased scores, as a means of fighting racial discrimination in lending. With many lenders using the same criteria, lending decisions were relatively uniform.