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

Clearview AI has been deed with 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, oregon astir $33.7 million.

The DPA accused Clearview of creating an amerciable database with “unique biometric codes” linked to the photos it collected. It besides allegedly failed to springiness radical whose faces were successful the database capable accusation astir however their representation and biometric information are used. The institution besides allegedly continued to violate the instrumentality aft the Dutch authorities began investigating it, which the DPA said could pb to an further good of up to 5.1 cardinal Euros.

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

The Dutch DPA said Clearview can’t entreaty the good due to the fact that it hasn’t objected to the 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 concern successful the Netherlands oregon the EU, it does not person immoderate customers successful the Netherlands oregon the EU, and does not undertake immoderate activities that would different mean it is taxable to the GDPR.” Mulcaire said that the determination is “unlawful, devoid of owed process and is unenforceable.”