The Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) has fined US-based facial recognition technology company Clearview AI €30.5 million for violating the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It was revealed that Clearview AI had collected photos of billions of people’s faces, including Dutch people, without their consent. The company’s CEO claimed that they had 30 billion images by early 2023.

Netherlands fines facial recognition firm Clearview AI €30.5 million

According to the DPA, Clearview AI must immediately cease its illegal activities or face additional fines of up to €5.1 million. The President of the Dutch DPA, Aleid Wolfsen, stressed that facial recognition technology is a highly intrusive technology and that it is unacceptable for everyone in the world to be exposed to this technology.

Wolfsen also stated that facial recognition technology has the potential to increase security, but that it would be more appropriate for official authorities to use it “subject to strict conditions.” Interestingly, Clearview AI did not appeal the sentence and lost its right to appeal.

This isn’t the first time the company has been penalized in Europe; Italy and the UK have previously fined the company for similar reasons. Clearview AI was forced to delete data on Italian and British citizens under those rulings. The European Union also banned Clearview AI from collecting unauthorized facial recognition data online.

So, what do you think about this? How ethical do you think it is to use facial recognition technology in this way? You can write your opinions in the comments section below.