In re Clearview AI Class Settlement
In re Clearview AI Consumer Privacy Litigation — Equity-Based Class Settlement (N.D. Ill.)
N.D. Ill. · In re Clearview AI, Inc. Consumer Privacy Litig., MDL 2967, No. 1:21-cv-00135 (N.D. Ill.)
- Status
- Blocked / in litigation
- Took effect
- June 21, 2024
- Applies to
- Clearview AI, Inc.
A nationwide BIPA class action against Clearview AI settled in 2024 on an unusual basis: rather than cash, class members receive a 23 percent equity interest in Clearview, valued by plaintiffs at up to $51 million depending on company valuation. The arrangement reflected Clearview's inability to pay cash damages of the magnitude BIPA would require.
Who is protected: Nationwide class of individuals whose photos were scraped into Clearview's faceprint database
Legal detail
In re Clearview AI, Inc. Consumer Privacy Litigation, MDL No. 2967, No. 1:21-cv-00135 (N.D. Ill., final approval June 21, 2024; Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman). Settlement structure: class receives 23% post-money equity stake in Clearview (or 17% with cash sale option). Objections from 22 state AGs over inadequacy; approved over objections.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | N.D. Ill. |
|---|---|
| Level | Federal |
| Citation | In re Clearview AI, Inc. Consumer Privacy Litig., MDL 2967, No. 1:21-cv-00135 (N.D. Ill.) |
| Topics | facial recognition · biometric data · consumer data privacy |
| Court record | In re Clearview AI Litigation — CourtListener MDL 2967 |
More AI rules in N.D. Ill.
- In re TikTok ($92M) · In effect
- Huskey v. State Farm · Blocked / in litigation
Related facial recognition rules elsewhere
- Virginia § 15.2-1723.2 (facial recognition by local law enforcement, eff. July 1, 2026) · In effect
- Bristol VA PD facial recognition program (first VA local agency) · In effect
- Dallas PD Clearview AI facial recognition policy · In effect
- Ban biometric recognition in public accommodations (Ban The Scan) · Proposed / pending
- Limit facial recognition in residential buildings (Ban The Scan) · Proposed / pending
- Texas v. Google · In effect
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