Clearview AI has received final approval for a $51.75 million settlement in a class action lawsuit over alleged violations of Illinois’ biometric privacy law. U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman granted the approval this week, despite objections from multiple state attorneys general and privacy advocates.
The settlement resolves claims that the facial recognition company collected and used Illinois residents’ biometric data without consent, violating the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). Under the agreement, Clearview AI will establish an opt-out system for Illinois residents and delete certain stored biometric information, while also limiting future data collection in the state.
This settlement comes amid significant changes at Clearview AI, including recent leadership transitions and a strategic shift toward federal contracts. The company has faced mounting legal challenges across multiple jurisdictions, including a recent ban upheld by British Columbia’s Supreme Court on its data collection practices.
The Illinois settlement is particularly significant given the state’s stringent interpretation of BIPA. A recent Illinois Supreme Court ruling maintained that each unauthorized biometric scan constitutes a separate violation, potentially exposing companies to substantial liability.
The settlement agreement’s scope reflects the growing legal consensus around protecting biometric privacy rights, particularly as facial recognition technology becomes more prevalent in law enforcement and commercial applications.
The settlement marks a significant milestone in the ongoing debate over facial recognition technology and privacy rights, potentially setting precedents for future cases involving biometric data collection and consent requirements.
Sources: MLex, Hunton Privacy Blog, 404 Media
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March 21, 2025 – by Ali Nassar-Smith
