Dutch Authorities Fine Clearview AI €30.5 Million for Illegal Facial Recognition Database

The Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) has fined U.S. facial recognition company Clearview AI 30.5 million euros for creating an illegal database containing billions of photographs, including those of Dutch nationals, without their consent. The DPA has warned that using Clearview's services is illegal under Dutch regulations and ordered the company to cease its violations. Additionally, the agency imposed a potential further penalty of up to 5 million euros for non-compliance.

Clearview AI's database, which includes over 30 billion photographs, is used primarily by intelligence and investigative services outside the EU. The DPA stated that Clearview violated the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by failing to be transparent and by not obtaining consent for the use of the images. The DPA also cautioned Dutch organizations against using Clearview's services, indicating that they could face significant fines for doing so. Clearview AI has not contested the fine and has no right of appeal.