Austrian Privacy Group Files Criminal Complaint Against Clearview AI Over GDPR Violations

An Austrian privacy rights group, noyb, has escalated its legal battle against Clearview AI by filing a criminal complaint with Austrian authorities. The facial recognition firm stands accused of systematically violating EU data protection laws through its unauthorized scraping of biometric data from social media platforms and websites.

Max Schrems, noyb's founder and the litigator behind two landmark EU-US data transfer rulings, characterizes Clearview's database as a fundamental threat to democratic freedoms. "When any individual can be identified within seconds through mass surveillance, the very foundations of a free society erode," he stated. The complaint alleges both civil breaches and criminal offenses under Austrian law, exposing company executives to potential personal liability.

The MOVE comes as European regulators struggle to enforce existing GDPR penalties against the US-based company. Clearview continues operating despite multiple rulings against its practices across EU member states, highlighting jurisdictional challenges in cross-border tech regulation.