Dutch regulator slaps Clearview AI with $33 million fine and threatens executive liability

Clearview AI has been deed pinch its largest good yet nether Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by a Dutch regulator. The Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) announced a good of 30.5 cardinal Euros, aliases astir $33.7 million.

The DPA accused Clearview of creating an forbidden database pinch “unique biometric codes” linked to nan photos it collected. It besides allegedly grounded to springiness group whose faces were successful nan database capable accusation astir really their image and biometric information are used. The institution besides allegedly continued to violate the rule aft nan Dutch authorities began investigating it, which nan DPA said could lead to an further good of up to 5.1 cardinal Euros.

Given that Clearview has not changed its behaviour aft different fines, according to nan DPA, nan regulator said successful a property merchandise it “is looking for ways to make judge that Clearview stops nan violations.” Dutch DPA president Aleid Wolfsen said successful a connection that institution board could beryllium held personally liable if they knew of nan GDPR violations and could person stopped them, but chose not to.

The Dutch DPA said Clearview can’t entreaty nan good because it hasn’t objected to nan decision. But Clearview says it’s not enforceable. In a statement, Clearview’s main ineligible serviceman Jack Mulcaire said successful a connection that company, “does not person a spot of business successful nan Netherlands aliases nan EU, it does not person immoderate customers successful nan Netherlands aliases nan EU, and does not undertake immoderate activities that would different mean it is taxable to nan GDPR.” Mulcaire said that nan determination is “unlawful, devoid of owed process and is unenforceable.”