Investigation of Clearview AI
- Privacy Law In Canada
- Feb 2, 2021
- 1 min read
OPC February 2, 2021
The OPC, jointly with the Provinces of Alberta, BC, and Quebec, investigated Clearview AI’s business of Facial Recognition. Clearview had amassed a database of 3 billion images of faces and other biometric identifiers, including some Canadians. These images/identifiers were collected from publicly accessible online sources, including social media. Clearview allowed its customers to access the database along with source information.
Clearview claimed the ‘tool’ is intended for law enforcement, although some private sector entities were allowed to use the ‘service’. The investigation concluded that the “mass collection of images and creation of biometric facial recognition” represented surveillance of individuals in the course of commercial activity.
The Investigation recommended that Clearview stop this activity – in contravention of PIPEDA, s. 6.1, Principle 4.3 of Schedule 1, among other things. Clearview disagreed, however ceased operations affecting Canadians.