Clearview Attempted To Buy Social Security Numbers and Mugshots for its Database (404media.co)
(Friday March 21, 2025 @06:30AM (msmash)
from the grand-plans dept.)
- Reference: 0176780075
- News link: https://yro.slashdot.org/story/25/03/20/1925212/clearview-attempted-to-buy-social-security-numbers-and-mugshots-for-its-database
- Source link: https://www.404media.co/facial-recognition-company-clearview-attempted-to-buy-social-security-numbers-and-mugshots-for-its-database
Controversial facial recognition company Clearview AI attempted to purchase hundreds of millions of arrest records including social security numbers, mugshots, and even email addresses to incorporate into its product, 404 Media reports. From the report:
> For years, Clearview AI has collected billions of photos from social media websites including Facebook, LinkedIn and others and sold access to its facial recognition tool to law enforcement. The collection and sale of user-generated photos by a private surveillance company to police without that person's knowledge or consent sparked international outcry when it was first revealed by the New York Times in 2020.
>
> New documents obtained by 404 Media reveal that Clearview AI spent nearly a million dollars in a [1]bid to purchase "690 million arrest records and 390 million arrest photos" from all 50 states from an intelligence firm. The contract further describes the records as including current and former home addresses, dates of birth, arrest photos, social security and cell phone numbers, and email addresses. Clearview attempted to purchase this data from Investigative Consultant, Inc. (ICI) which billed itself as an intelligence company with access to tens of thousands of databases and the ability to create unique data streams for its clients. The contract was signed in mid-2019, at a time when Clearview AI was quietly collecting billions of photos off the internet and was relatively unknown at the time.
[1] https://www.404media.co/facial-recognition-company-clearview-attempted-to-buy-social-security-numbers-and-mugshots-for-its-database
> For years, Clearview AI has collected billions of photos from social media websites including Facebook, LinkedIn and others and sold access to its facial recognition tool to law enforcement. The collection and sale of user-generated photos by a private surveillance company to police without that person's knowledge or consent sparked international outcry when it was first revealed by the New York Times in 2020.
>
> New documents obtained by 404 Media reveal that Clearview AI spent nearly a million dollars in a [1]bid to purchase "690 million arrest records and 390 million arrest photos" from all 50 states from an intelligence firm. The contract further describes the records as including current and former home addresses, dates of birth, arrest photos, social security and cell phone numbers, and email addresses. Clearview attempted to purchase this data from Investigative Consultant, Inc. (ICI) which billed itself as an intelligence company with access to tens of thousands of databases and the ability to create unique data streams for its clients. The contract was signed in mid-2019, at a time when Clearview AI was quietly collecting billions of photos off the internet and was relatively unknown at the time.
[1] https://www.404media.co/facial-recognition-company-clearview-attempted-to-buy-social-security-numbers-and-mugshots-for-its-database
... Leading to Public Criminal Records (Score:1)
by butt0nm4n ( 1736412 )
Is that a terrible idea? Prison doesn't seem to work for repeat offenders. Shame is a very powerful motivator. I don't know the history and rationale as to why they are not public. I imagine when we lived in smaller communities everyone knew who was naughty.
Re: (Score:2)
by Calydor ( 739835 )
Because once you've done your time or paid your fine you're supposed to be a free man again. Lifetime punishments, which this would be, are supposed to be reserved for the really horrible crimes.
What about Investigate Consultants? (Score:2)
by mccalli ( 323026 )
Summary is focusing on Clearview as a potential buyer, but seems to me more problematic that this collection exists in the first place? Presumably they didn't collect for fun and are selling this to others too.
Stupid (Score:2)
by El_Muerte_TDS ( 592157 )
They can get them for free simply by calling DOGE.
Do it (Score:2)
And get sued into oblivion.
Re: (Score:2)
> And get sued into oblivion.
Wait, you still assume that bullshit is some kind of valid threat? Take a closer look at the average “punishment” when Greed N. Corruption is caught. Then realize why Greed will do it again. Every damn time.
Litigation, is a fucking business expense category now. Reduced and justified as nothing more than a cost of “doing” business today, driven by the complete lack of criminal punishment.