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Clearview AI’s facial recognition technology, used by the RCMP, violates the privacy rights of Canadians. That’s the conclusion of a report done by federal and provincial watchdogs.
The report found that Clearview AI not only collected billions of pictures of Canadians by scouring the internet, but then allegedly marketed them to its clients including police forces and financial institutions. The company executes this practice without the knowledge or permission of the individuals in the photographs or from those who took the photographs.
“This is clearly unacceptable,” Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien reportedly stated in a news conference held following the probe.
Privacy protection agencies from Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec reportedly joined the federal privacy commissioner in his conclusions.
The report noted that Clearview AI’s facial recognition technology had allowed the company to compile a trove of sensitive biometric data belonging to Canadians, creating a significant risk of harm should the information fall into the wrong hands. The report further pointed out that most of the data compiled in Clearview AI’s databases concern individuals who have not committed any crimes, the Canadian Press reported.
For its part, Clearview AI, a company based in New York, claimed that Canadian privacy laws did not apply because it lacked a “real and substantial connection” to the country. The watchdogs rejected this argument, reportedly noting that the company had actively solicited Canadian police forces, such as the RCMP when marketing its facial recognition services.
Clearview AI has reportedly set up 48 accounts, including one with the RCMP in Canada. The company was ordered to stop offering these services last year. In addition, the privacy watchdogs recommended the company stop collecting and delete the images of Canadians it already has; however, the company is reportedly resisting these measures.
“Clearview AI is a search engine that collects public data just as much larger companies do, including Google, which is permitted to operate in Canada,” a Clearview AI spokesperson reportedly said in response.
The privacy watchdogs have pledged to take further legal action if the company continues to resist their requests.
In addition, the RCMP and other police forces’ use of Clearview AI facial recognition technology is under investigation, according to the Canadian Press, with another report expected this spring.
The company is already facing a class action lawsuit filed by a photographer in Montreal who claims Clearview AI violates copyrights held by her and others for photographs they put on the internet. The plaintiff also accuses the RCMP of violating Canadian’s privacy rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms demanding that the RCMP destroy all the information it obtained from Clearview.
Are you concerned about Clearview AI’s facial recognition technology? We want to hear your thoughts! Tell us in the comment section below.
The lead plaintiff and proposed Class Members are represented by Lev Alexeev and Camille Miconnet of NOVAlex Law Firm Inc.
This Clearview AI Class Action Lawsuit is Ha Vi Doan v. Clearview AI Inc., Case No. T-713-20 in Federal Court, Montreal, Canada.
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3 thoughts onClearview AI Violates Canadians Privacy Rights, Privacy Watchdogs Report
my ex had an affair with a police office I believe its either vancouver or rcmp but they used alot mental illneses tàctics and she was giving gift certicates on mutilmal occasion 250 dallor and up plus was Dumingu alot of jury Duty when I first met her this was nothing she never was interested in she believe that criminals need to work for the public by helping the comuntiy and given back but all change when they had the affare on me and gave them my iphone 6 to acc8my social media accounts and gmail.com account I have been able to have since Isabelle maussoin and her poliemen boyfriend have been in my life changing my social media platforms to french and other Languages plus tell me where they est and go to ces on there dates and travel as well its been very mentally exhausted and very herd to deal with when your not able to talk to your family or friends in your life whats laws are there for me in life for this kind of thing that goes on with people and im sure its not only me thats this happened to because it so well done to us in life
This is exactly the type of thing that deserves a class action lawsuit. Most people were probably unaware this actually happened. Include me please!
I am very concerned about Clearview AI and the lack of privacy their activities present to Canadians and myself.They should be completely forbidden to operate in Canada.