Italy: Ruling on investigation by Italian Data Protection Authority into Clearview AI

On 9 March 2022, the Italian Data Protection Authority has imposed a fine against the company Clearview AI after pursuing an investigation on its data protection practices. Clearview AI was fined EUR 20 million after the authority found that it applied biometric monitoring techniques to individuals residing in the Italian territory. According to the supervisory authority, the company violated the EU General Data Protection Regulation by processing biometric and geolocation information without an appropriate legal basis. Therefore, the company was ordered to erase the data relating to individuals in Italy, to stop collecting and processing data through its facial recognition system and to designate a representative in the EU to facilitate data subjects exercising their rights.