Clearview AI, a facial recognition business, has been fined more than £7.5 million by the UK’s privacy authority and ordered to erase the data of UK residents.

According to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), this violates UK privacy regulations.

To establish a global facial recognition database, the company collects images from the online platform.

“I am profoundly sorry that the UK Information Commissioner has misinterpreted my technology and intentions,” stated Clearview AI CEO Hoan Ton-That.

“We only acquire public data from the online platform and adhere to all privacy and legal regulations.”

“I am disheartened by society’s misconception of Clearview AI’s technology.”

Hoan Ton-That, the company’s creator, argues that its mission is to “help communities and their people live better safer lives,” and that all of the data it has gathered is publicly available on the internet. He claims that Clearview’s massive database of faces has effectively assisted law enforcement in combating “heinous” crimes.

Clearview no longer operates in the United Kingdom, but former clients include the Metropolitan Police, the Ministry of Defence, and the National Crime Agency. However, its whole collection of 20 billion photographs, which will undoubtedly have UK people, will remain accessible to those with whom it collaborates in other nations.

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