Dutch watchdog fines Clearview AI over illegal facial recognition use
The American facial recognition company faces a €30.5 million fine from the Dutch watchdog for privacy violations, with a potential additional €5 million penalty if it does not comply with the decision.
Clearview AI has been fined €30.5 million by the Netherlands Data Protection Authority (DPA) for creating an illegal database using facial recognition technology. The DPA said the company violated privacy laws by building a highly intrusive database without consent. The penalty also includes a potential additional fine of up to €5 million if the company does not comply with the ruling.
The facial recognition company has not challenged the DPA’s decision and therefore cannot appeal against the fine. The watchdog warned that using Clearview AI’s services is also illegal under Dutch regulations, raising concerns about the misuse of facial recognition technology.
DPA Chairman Aleid Wolfsen stressed the dangers of unregulated facial recognition, describing it as a technology that cannot be ‘unleashed’ on the world without strict controls. The ruling marks another significant penalty in the European Union‘s efforts to enforce privacy regulations.
Last week, ride-hailing firm Uber was also fined by the DPA for transferring the personal data of European taxi drivers to the United States, violating EU privacy rules. Uber is appealing the fine, calling it unjustified.
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