All incidents
Clearview AI biometric privacy class-action settlement approved in Illinois
Summary
In March 2024 a federal judge in the Northern District of Illinois approved a settlement of a nationwide class‑action lawsuit against facial‑recognition firm Clearview AI for alleged violations of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act and related statutes. The agreement grants the class a 23% equity stake in Clearview, valued at roughly $51.75 million, to be paid upon trigger events such as an IPO or liquidation. Although attorneys general from 22 states objected, citing a lack of injunctive relief, the settlement was upheld, and Vermont subsequently re‑filed its own lawsuit under state consumer‑protection law.
Incident Details
Domain
Privacy & Surveillance
Unauthorized collection, tracking, or exposure of personal data and private information.
Harm Types
Unauthorized Surveillance
Platforms
Companies
Who Was Affected
Age
mixed
Gender
mixed
Group
Children, Women & Girls, Racial/Ethnic Minority
Sources
3Clearview AI settles class-action biometric privacy lawsuit worth an estimated $51.75 million
Apr 30, 2025
ACLU sues Clearview AI for violating Illinois biometric privacy law with secretive face surveillance database
May 28, 2020
ACLU fights to end Clearview AI's privacy-destroying face surveillance activities — BIPA lawsuit filing
May 28, 2020