The Clearview AI facial recognition system patent has sparked criticism

According to the latest report by Politico, Clearview AI has started the process of reserving its controversial technology in the US Patent and Trademark Office. This in turn confirmed that patenting the Clearview AI facial recognition system would be possible, with the company only having to pay administrative fees to secure the patent.

Clearview AI and its patent for the facial recognition system – it could not end without criticism

This decision was not appreciated by critics and it is hardly surprising. It is the first facial recognition patent covering “large-scale internet data”. The related tool is placed in the hands of the authorities and law enforcement agencies in order to speed up the search for the wanted persons. In an interview with Politico, Clearview founder Hoan Ton-That argued that Clearview did not plan to sell its technology to anyone other than these customers, and stressed the importance of having unbiased facial recognition systems.

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However, the patent itself (via Politico) does not preclude the sale of technology to non-governmental companies, and the company is aware of the problematic path its technology may follow. Clearview, however, has no intention of developing it in this direction. However, the threat is always there, and so we can be sure that despite the patent office’s “blessing”, Clearview may have a lot of problems due to popular opposition to the very existence of this technology.

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Especially since many governments (such as Australia and the UK) believe that facial recognition violates data laws. In turn, critics fear that Clearview is building its databases without the knowledge or consent of the targets. This technology, which is accused of prejudice against gender and race, can in turn be used to suppress political opposition or even persecution of other people.