AI Company Clarifai Deletes Millions of Acquired Images After FTC Investigation

The AI platform Clarifai deleted around 3 million photos obtained from OkCupid to train its facial recognition AI. This action came after scrutiny from the FTC. Key details include:

• In 2014, Clarifai asked for and received these photos from OkCupid, alongside other demographic and location data, violating OkCupid's privacy policies.
• The incident was revealed following a New York Times article in 2019, leading to an FTC investigation.
• Despite a settlement in the lawsuit last month, neither OkCupid nor its parent company Match Group admitted wrongdoing. However, the deletion implies misuse of user data.
• The FTC has now prohibited OkCupid and Match from misrepresenting data collection and sharing practices.
• Both OkCupid and Clarifai refrained from commenting immediately.

The FTC lacks authority to fine for such first-time offenses but has imposed restrictions to prevent similar incidents in the future.