Facial recognition: Clearview AI says it can identify almost everyone within a year

In a 55-page long financial presentation intended for investors, Clearview AI, a company specializing in facial recognition, reveals its ambitions for the future… And there is enough to give cold sweats to the defenders of privacy.

Already very controversial, the American firm sees very far and wants to greatly expand its capabilities. For this, it appeals to investors.

Facial recognition for the police, e-commerce, banks…

The company assures that since the beginning of 2020, it has grown from 3 billion to more than 10 billion images in its library of faces. She further explains that her data collection system ingests 1.5 billion visuals each month. If it manages to raise $50 million in funding, the company says it will be able to increase its collection powers to 100 billion photos by next year, the equivalent of about 10 faces for every person on Earth. She hopes to create new products, expand her international sales team and lobby harder to put pressure on government decision-makers.

While the majority of technology giants have decided to slow down and leave facial recognition aside for ethical reasons, Clearview AI sees a huge business opportunity in order to take a place left vacant by them. The firm explains that in addition to allowing the police to identify criminals, its system could also be used to gig economy, i.e. to collaborative companies such as Uber, by allowing them to monitor their workers more. It also sees sectors such as e-commerce, retail and finance as potential areas of growth for its technology.

Clearview AI also assures that its system is more efficient than the one used in China for mass surveillance of the population. The firm is now working on new technologies to identify a person according to their approach, and even to scan fingerprints remotely.

Still no federal legislation on this technology across the Atlantic

Currently, there is no legislation at the US federal level to regulate the use of facial recognition, despite several attempts by some deputies. If some states or cities, like Los Angeles, have decided to use it less, the technology can be used by federal authorities. For example, Cleaview AI was instrumental in identifying some Donald Trump supporters during the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The company said it expects its annual federal revenue to hit $6 million this year; she further hopes increase overall utilization by 300% of its product by state and local law enforcement agencies. However, this risks being compromised on the Old Continent. MEPs voted last October for a resolution against mass surveillance using AI. In addition, Clearview AI has already been targeted by the French authorities, who recently ordered it to delete its data on French citizens.

It’s unclear whether Clearview AI’s gargantuan plans are feasible at this time. In order to convince investors, the company appeals to American patriotism, and ensures that its system will make it possible to defend the country much more effectively. However, we must not lose sight of its commercial ambitions which, if successful, would greatly extend the use of facial recognition.

Source: msn