Clearview AI’s $33m Tab for Facial Recognition Image Scraping: It’s Not Just a ‘Face’ Value Fine!
“Clearview AI fined $33m for facial recognition image scraping”
“The controversial facial recognition company Clearview AI has been slapped with another massive fine. This time it’s to the tune of $33 million, due to its scraping of millions of images online without consent.”
How does it feel when corporate ambitions meander through the thin line of innovative disruptions and ethical misconduct? Well, the tech industry just bore witness to such a spectacle as Clearview AI hides behind a shocked emoticon. $33 million – yes, you read it correctly! That’s the bill they must foot for their ventures in the wonderful world of ‘I-couldn’t-care-less-about-your-consent’ image scraping.
What Clearview AI did resembles a spectacular heist, but replace the blinding diamonds with something more intimate: facial images. Millions of them. No bag to carry them in, nor a posse to outwit security. Just siphon online images, as easy as sipping last night’s leftover champagne. All, of course, without the ‘minor’ stipulation of consent. Oh, the audacity of tech innovation!
“The fine relates to images scraped from the web and used in its controversial facial recognition software, violating UK and Australian data protection law.”
Imagine if someone sneaked into your home, took photos of your wall-hung childhood pictures, then used them without asking for your permission. Outrageous, isn’t it? Well, that’s exactly what Clearview AI has done, but ‘digitally.’ Hiding behind the guise of digital warriors, they used images scraped from the web for their facial recognition software. A clear violation of UK and Australian data protection law. But hey, who cares about those silly laws when there are ‘technological advancements’ to be made?
Oh, wait, those in line to keep tech barons in check care. Both the UK Information Commissioner’s Office and the Australian Information Commissioner have expressed their righteous indignation. Ironically, the ones often criticized for their slow pace have outpaced the tech-zealot company in this ethical race.
The moral of Clearview AI’s story? When blurred lines between bold entrepreneurship and brazen disregard for privacy rights mix with controversy and legalities, the result document reads like a hefty $33-million-dollar check. Not the type of ‘going viral’ a tech company envisions, surely. Stay tuned for the sequel; it might just reveal if the lessons are learned, or if corporate amnesia will prevail.