Clarifai Deletes 3M OkCupid Photos Used in Facial AI Training
Clarifai, an AI company focused on computer vision, has removed 3 million photos that came from OkCupid. The images helped train its facial recognition system, reports from Reuters indicate. The firm also erased any AI models created with that data.
Origins of the Data Arrangement
The Federal Trade Commission looked into how Clarifai obtained the photos. In 2014, Clarifai reached out to OkCupid for user data. Executives from the dating service had put money into Clarifai at that time. OkCupid shared the pictures users uploaded, plus details on demographics and locations, according to reports.
OkCupid's privacy rules at the time banned such sharing. Clarifai founder and CEO Matthew Zeiler sent an email to OkCupid co-founder Maxwell Krohn. "We're collecting data now and just realized that OKCupid must have a HUGE amount of awesome data for this," Zeiler wrote, per court documents Reuters examined.
Clarifai started in 2013. Matthew Zeiler, who holds a PhD from New York University, built it around visual AI tools. The company offers software for image and video analysis, including facial recognition features. OkCupid launched in 2004 as a free dating site with matching algorithms based on user questions. Match Group bought it in 2011. Match Group runs several dating apps like Tinder and Hinge and trades publicly.
FTC Probe Sparks from Media Report
The events date back twelve years to 2014. The FTC began its review in 2019. That year, a New York Times piece noted Clarifai's use of OkCupid images. The AI tool from Clarifai could guess a person's age, sex, and race from their face.
The FTC claimed Match Group and OkCupid hid the data handover since 2014. They also tried to block the agency's work, the FTC said. OkCupid and Clarifai gave no quick reply to TechCrunch questions.
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Settlement Terms and Prohibitions
Last month, the FTC settled with OkCupid and Match Group. Neither side admitted fault over claims of tricking users or breaking privacy rules. Clarifai's move to delete the data points to real access to the photos, though.
For a first offense like this, the FTC lacks power to impose fines. Instead, it bans OkCupid and Match permanently from lying about or helping others lie about data collection and sharing. Such actions already go against FTC guidelines.
The settlement closes a case that highlighted risks in early AI data practices. Dating apps collect vast personal photos, which drew interest from AI firms building recognition tech. Regulators now stress clear rules on user consent for such uses.
Clarifai's deletion covers the 3 million photos and related models. This step aligns with the probe's outcome. Match Group, with its portfolio of apps serving millions, faces ongoing scrutiny on privacy matters.
Broader Context on Companies Involved
OkCupid grew popular for its detailed profiles and compatibility quizzes. Under Match Group, it competes in a market where user trust hinges on data handling. Clarifai serves clients in security, retail, and media with AI that processes visuals at scale.
The 2019 New York Times report brought attention to how public photos fueled AI without broad user knowledge. FTC cases like this set examples for data ethics in tech partnerships.
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