The ICO argues that Clearview isn't primarily processing data for foreign law enforcement purposes and therefore should not be exempt from regulation. The ICO also welcomed the tribunal's clarification that companies not established in the UK are still bound by UK data protection law in cases where UK citizens are being monitored. The ICO believes this supports its stance that Clearview should be subject to its jurisdiction.
Key takeaways:
- The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is planning to appeal against a tribunal's decision that it was not legally authorized to fine Clearview AI for alleged privacy violations.
- Clearview AI was originally fined £7.5 million ($9.3 million) by the ICO for allegedly unlawfully collecting UK citizens' biometric data.
- The tribunal ruled that the ICO was not authorized to issue the fine as Clearview provides services to foreign law enforcement agencies, which falls outside the scope of UK GDPR.
- The ICO argues that Clearview isn't primarily processing data for foreign law enforcement purposes, and thus shouldn't be allowed to use that defense to escape regulation.