Clearview AI built a massive facial recognition database by scraping 30 billion photos from Facebook and other social media platforms without users’ permission, which law enforcement has accessed nearly a million times since 2017[1].
The company markets its technology to law enforcement as a tool “to bring justice to victims,” with clients including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security. However, privacy advocates argue it creates a “perpetual police line-up” that includes innocent people who could face wrongful arrests from misidentification[1:1].
Major social media companies like Facebook sent cease-and-desist letters to Clearview AI in 2020 for violating user privacy. Meta claims it has since invested in technology to combat unauthorized scraping[1:2].
While Clearview AI recently won an appeal against a £7.5m fine from the UK’s privacy watchdog, this was solely because the company only provides services to law enforcement outside the UK/EU. The ruling did not grant broad permission for data scraping activities[2].
The risks extend beyond law enforcement use - once photos are scraped, individuals lose control over their biometric data permanently. Critics warn this could enable:
- Retroactive prosecution if laws change
- Creation of unauthorized AI training datasets
- Identity theft and digital abuse
- Commercial facial recognition systems without consent[1:3]
Sources:
Clearview AI was founded in 2017 by Hoan Ton-That and Richard Schwartz after transferring the assets of another company, SmartCheckr, which the pair originally founded in 2017 alongside Charles C. Johnson.[12][4] The company was founded in Manhattan after the founders met at the Manhattan Institute.[1] The company initially raised $8.4 million from investors including Kirenaga Partners and Peter Thiel
Of course Thiel is involved. That guy should really be not around anymore.
Thiel is scum and needs to pass away for his crimes instigating a fascist police state.
He should at least have “DO NOT DEVELOP MY APP” tatooed on his forehead.
Someone with selfies on a chat? Congrats, you are part of 30 billion winners 🏆
For now on I treat everyone with a cellphone like a cop. This actually makes my life way easier.
Congress needs to create stricter privacy laws. With heavy penalties besides a slap on the wrist. The digital you is just exploited in the name if profits regardless of consequences or your say.
Do you honestly think the US Congress gives a damn about us?
Not all, but if there is pressure. There are those that would push for it.
That is from 2023.
Yes, but I don’t believe that now in 2025 are less logged images, but more, because improved AI since than. If you use Meta or any other Zuckerbot crap, you can request that it’s AI redact an Curriculum Vitae with photo from you with a simple click, complete for free, as nice service.
The date is relevant so people don’t think it’s some new Trump thing that just happened. No problem with posting the link but I think it’s best to include “(2023)” in the title.
So they pirated data from Facebook for their own benefit?
Well, if the shoe fits…
Glad me and family are not on social media.
i knew i would eventually rue the day i joined social media because my ex-spouse forced the issue by making a facebook account for us; i just never knew that it would be because of this.
How I wish my friends and colleagues weren’t. Sometimes I don’t have the heart to ask them not to post pictures with my face online.
Me and my victims feel much more safe now.
Not me. FB banned me. All my data is deleted. I confirmed through a friend at Meta that tried to help me get it back. My shit was burned and destroyed. Fuck you, Zuck!
I think that’s called “winning” lol
Unfortunately you likely still have a shadow account :(
I deleted my Facebook account a long time ago. And I don’t gave my face on Instagram anyway (it’s the sad Windows BSOD face)
Not to be a Debbie Downer but if you have friends they may be on Facebook and they’re taking pictures and you’re in them.
Cool and normal
