AI Clearview Fined IDR 523.7 Billion By Dutch Authorities On Face Introduction Database

Head of DPA, Aleid Wolfsen (photo: x @Medianieuwtjes)

JAKARTA - The technology company from the United States, Clearview AI, was fined 30.5 million euros (around Rp523.7 billion) by the Dutch data protection authority, DPA. The DPA stated that the company had built a database for facial recognition illegally.

In addition to the main fine, the DPA also provided additional orders covering penalties of up to 5 million euros (IDR 85.8 billion) if Clearview did not comply with the decision.

Nevertheless, Jack Mulcaire, Head of Clearview AI Law, stated that companies do not have offices in the Netherlands or the European Union, and do not have customers in the region. According to him, this decision is against the law and cannot be enforced, and companies cannot be subject to GDPR regulations (EU General Data Protection Regulations).

The DPA also confirmed that Clearview did not object to the decision, so it could not appeal the fine.

The chairman of the DPA, Aleid Wolfsen, said in a statement that facial recognition technology is very disturbing to privacy and cannot be used carelessly. The DPA also warns that using Clearview services in the Netherlands is illegal.

This fine follows the previous fine imposed on the Uber ride-hailing platform by the DPA last week for sending European taxi driver personal data to the United States, which violates EU rules. Uber stated that the fine was unfair and would appeal.