orderConcluded

Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia (OIPC BC) Clearview AI, Inc.

December 14, 2021 · Canada

The BC Commissioner ordered Clearview AI to stop collecting, using and disclosing the biometric facial images of British Columbians and to delete images already collected, after finding its facial-recognition scraping breached BC privacy law.

Key takeaway — how to prevent this

Biometric data (faces, iris, fingerprints) needs an explicit lawful basis or consent. Scraping or capturing it without one is unlawful across the EU/UK and many US states (e.g. Illinois BIPA) — and draws the largest fines.

Inclusion does not imply wrongdoing or liability. Status reflects the latest information we have — always check the official source for current status.