Clarifai Deletes 3 Million OkCupid Photos Used for Facial Recognition AI After FTC Settlement

Clarifai has removed 3 million photos obtained from OkCupid to train its facial recognition AI, along with any models developed using that data. According to Reuters, the AI platform received these user-uploaded images in 2014 after Clarifai founder Matthew Zeiler emailed OkCupid co-founder Maxwell Krohn about accessing the dating app's "HUGE amount of awesome data." The Federal Trade Commission investigated the data sharing, which violated OkCupid's own privacy policies. OkCupid, owned by Match Group, provided not only photos but also demographic and location information. Though the incident occurred 12 years ago, the FTC only opened an investigation in 2019 after a New York Times article revealed Clarifai was using OkCupid images to build an AI tool estimating age, sex, and race from faces. Last month, the FTC settled its lawsuit with OkCupid and Match Group, who did not admit to allegations of deceiving users. The agency alleged Match Group and OkCupid deliberately concealed the behavior since 2014 and attempted to obstruct the investigation. While the FTC cannot fine companies for this first-time offense, it permanently prohibited OkCupid and Match from misrepresenting their data collection practices or assisting others in doing so. Clarifai's confirmation of data deletion implies the company did access the photos. Neither OkCupid nor Clarifai responded to TechCrunch's requests for comment. OkCupid executives had previously invested in Clarifai.