Home
Report: Clarifai deletes 3 million photos OkCupid provided for facial recognition AI training
Clarifai removed 3 million photos it obtained from OkCupid to train its facial recognition AI, according to Reuters. The company also deleted any models that had been built using that data.
As part of the FTC’s investigation, Clarifai requested data from OkCupid in 2014 — a dating app whose executives had invested in the company. Reports indicate that the platform provided user-uploaded photos along with demographic and location details. This practice should have been prohibited under OkCupid’s own privacy policies.
“We’re collecting data now and just realized that OKCupid must have a HUGE amount of awesome data for this,” Clarifai founder and CEO Matthew Zeiler wrote in an email to OkCupid co-founder Maxwell Krohn, according to court documents reviewed by Reuters.
Although this incident appears to have occurred twelve years ago, the FTC didn’t launch an investigation until 2019, after a New York Times article on Clarifai revealed that the company had used OkCupid images to build an AI tool capable of estimating a person’s age, sex, and race from their face.
The FTC and OkCupid — owned by Match Group — reached a settlement last month. While OkCupid and Match Group did not admit to deceiving users by violating their own privacy policies, Clarifai’s confirmation that it deleted the data suggests the company did indeed gain access to those photos. The FTC also alleged that Match Group and OkCupid deliberately concealed this behavior since 2014 and attempted to obstruct the investigation.
OkCupid and Clarifai did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s requests for comment.
Though the FTC cannot fine companies for a first-time offense of this kind, the agency ruled that OkCupid and Match are “permanently prohibited from misrepresenting or assisting others in misrepresenting” the nature of their data collection and data sharing. In effect, they are barred from engaging in practices already prohibited by the FTC.
Techcrunch eventConnect with your next investor or portfolio startup at Disrupt
Your next funding round. Your next key hire. Your next breakthrough opportunity. Find it all at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where over 10,000 founders, investors, and tech leaders gather for three days of more than 250 hands-on sessions, valuable introductions, and market-defining innovation. Register now to save up to $410.
Meet your next investor or portfolio company at Disrupt
Your next round. Your next hire. Your next breakout moment. Experience it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where 10,000+ founders, investors, and tech leaders come together for three days of 250+ tactical sessions, powerful networking, and market-shaping innovation. Register now and save up to $410.
San Francisco, CA|October 13-15, 2026REGISTER NOW
Related article
Amazon hit with class action lawsuit over Ring facial recognition feature
Amazon was hit with a lawsuit on Monday over privacy concerns tied to its Ring doorbell cameras. The class action, filed in Seattle by Virginia resident Charles Sigwalt, argues that Ring’s Familiar Faces feature captures images of people passing by w
Match Group slows hiring to fund growing AI adoption
You may assume the headline from Match Group’s first-quarter earnings is Tinder’s comeback. After several quarters of decline, the dating app’s revenue has posted a slight uptick.However, a comment from the chief financial officer stands out: the com
Suno to Watermark Songs Amid Legal Battles
Suno, the platform enabling users to generate AI-created music, has unveiled new features to label platform-produced tracks, restrict downloads, and update community standards to curb unauthorized replicas. These updates arrive as Suno confronts mult
Related Special Topic Recommendations
SEO
Best AI SERP Analysis Tools for Search Strategy
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI SERP Analysis Tools for Search Strategy are curated by XIX.AI through rigorous real-world tests and weekly updated rankings. These powerful tools help you unlock hidden optimization opportunities, boost content performance, and gain a competitive edge in search. Discover your perfect tool to elevate your search strategy today. Explore now!
13 tools
xix.ai
Data Analysis
Best AI Anomaly Detection Tools for KPI Monitoring across SaaS and Ecommerce Teams
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Anomaly Detection Tools for KPI Monitoring in SaaS and Ecommerce teams! XIX.AI has curated a powerful, game-changing collection based on rigorous real-world tests and weekly updated rankings. You’ll find detailed free vs paid comparison insights to help you identify the must-try solution that boosts productivity and unlocks your AI edge. Explore now!
10 tools
xix.ai
writing
Best AI Outline Generators for Long-Form SEO Articles
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Outline Generators for Long-Form SEO Articles, meticulously curated by XIX.AI. These powerful tools offer game-changing assistance in creating high-quality content quickly, boosting writing efficiency significantly. Get a free vs paid comparison along with real-world tests and detailed rankings to help you find the must-try option that suits your needs. Explore now to unlock your AI edge.
8 tools
xix.ai
Education and Learning
AI Study Tools for Homework and Exam Prep
2026 Latest Best AI Study Tools for Homework and Exam Prep! XIX.AI curates a top-rated list of powerful, game-changing tools that help students boost productivity, streamline homework completion, and ace exams through real-world tests. Get a free vs paid comparison, detailed rankings, and must-try options to unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
10 tools
xix.ai
Music composition
AI Vocal Demo Tools for Songwriters, Hooks, Toplines, and Multilingual Draft Sessions
2026 Latest Best AI Vocal Demo Tools for Songwriters, Hook Creators, and Multi-Language Content Teams! XIX.AI has curated a top-rated list of powerful game-changing tools that go through rigorous real-world tests. You’ll find detailed free vs paid comparison data, comprehensive rankings, and must-try options to help you boost writing efficiency and unlock your creative potential. Explore now to discover your perfect tool for all your content needs!
9 tools
xix.ai
Business
Best AI Competitive Research Tools for Small Businesses
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Competitive Research Tools for Small Businesses! XIX.AI has curated a highly powerful game-changing collection, updated weekly with rigorous real-world tests and detailed rankings. You can find a comprehensive free vs paid comparison to help you identify the must-try tools that boost your productivity and give you a competitive edge. Explore now to discover your perfect tool!
9 tools
xix.ai
Comments (0)
0/500
Clarifai removed 3 million photos it obtained from OkCupid to train its facial recognition AI, according to Reuters. The company also deleted any models that had been built using that data.
As part of the FTC’s investigation, Clarifai requested data from OkCupid in 2014 — a dating app whose executives had invested in the company. Reports indicate that the platform provided user-uploaded photos along with demographic and location details. This practice should have been prohibited under OkCupid’s own privacy policies.
“We’re collecting data now and just realized that OKCupid must have a HUGE amount of awesome data for this,” Clarifai founder and CEO Matthew Zeiler wrote in an email to OkCupid co-founder Maxwell Krohn, according to court documents reviewed by Reuters.
Although this incident appears to have occurred twelve years ago, the FTC didn’t launch an investigation until 2019, after a New York Times article on Clarifai revealed that the company had used OkCupid images to build an AI tool capable of estimating a person’s age, sex, and race from their face.
The FTC and OkCupid — owned by Match Group — reached a settlement last month. While OkCupid and Match Group did not admit to deceiving users by violating their own privacy policies, Clarifai’s confirmation that it deleted the data suggests the company did indeed gain access to those photos. The FTC also alleged that Match Group and OkCupid deliberately concealed this behavior since 2014 and attempted to obstruct the investigation.
OkCupid and Clarifai did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s requests for comment.
Though the FTC cannot fine companies for a first-time offense of this kind, the agency ruled that OkCupid and Match are “permanently prohibited from misrepresenting or assisting others in misrepresenting” the nature of their data collection and data sharing. In effect, they are barred from engaging in practices already prohibited by the FTC.
Techcrunch eventConnect with your next investor or portfolio startup at Disrupt
Your next funding round. Your next key hire. Your next breakthrough opportunity. Find it all at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where over 10,000 founders, investors, and tech leaders gather for three days of more than 250 hands-on sessions, valuable introductions, and market-defining innovation. Register now to save up to $410.
Meet your next investor or portfolio company at Disrupt
Your next round. Your next hire. Your next breakout moment. Experience it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where 10,000+ founders, investors, and tech leaders come together for three days of 250+ tactical sessions, powerful networking, and market-shaping innovation. Register now and save up to $410.
San Francisco, CA|October 13-15, 2026REGISTER NOW 
Amazon hit with class action lawsuit over Ring facial recognition feature
Amazon was hit with a lawsuit on Monday over privacy concerns tied to its Ring doorbell cameras. The class action, filed in Seattle by Virginia resident Charles Sigwalt, argues that Ring’s Familiar Faces feature captures images of people passing by w
Match Group slows hiring to fund growing AI adoption
You may assume the headline from Match Group’s first-quarter earnings is Tinder’s comeback. After several quarters of decline, the dating app’s revenue has posted a slight uptick.However, a comment from the chief financial officer stands out: the com
Suno to Watermark Songs Amid Legal Battles
Suno, the platform enabling users to generate AI-created music, has unveiled new features to label platform-produced tracks, restrict downloads, and update community standards to curb unauthorized replicas. These updates arrive as Suno confronts mult
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI SERP Analysis Tools for Search Strategy are curated by XIX.AI through rigorous real-world tests and weekly updated rankings. These powerful tools help you unlock hidden optimization opportunities, boost content performance, and gain a competitive edge in search. Discover your perfect tool to elevate your search strategy today. Explore now!
13 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Anomaly Detection Tools for KPI Monitoring in SaaS and Ecommerce teams! XIX.AI has curated a powerful, game-changing collection based on rigorous real-world tests and weekly updated rankings. You’ll find detailed free vs paid comparison insights to help you identify the must-try solution that boosts productivity and unlocks your AI edge. Explore now!
10 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Outline Generators for Long-Form SEO Articles, meticulously curated by XIX.AI. These powerful tools offer game-changing assistance in creating high-quality content quickly, boosting writing efficiency significantly. Get a free vs paid comparison along with real-world tests and detailed rankings to help you find the must-try option that suits your needs. Explore now to unlock your AI edge.
8 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best AI Study Tools for Homework and Exam Prep! XIX.AI curates a top-rated list of powerful, game-changing tools that help students boost productivity, streamline homework completion, and ace exams through real-world tests. Get a free vs paid comparison, detailed rankings, and must-try options to unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
10 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best AI Vocal Demo Tools for Songwriters, Hook Creators, and Multi-Language Content Teams! XIX.AI has curated a top-rated list of powerful game-changing tools that go through rigorous real-world tests. You’ll find detailed free vs paid comparison data, comprehensive rankings, and must-try options to help you boost writing efficiency and unlock your creative potential. Explore now to discover your perfect tool for all your content needs!
9 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Competitive Research Tools for Small Businesses! XIX.AI has curated a highly powerful game-changing collection, updated weekly with rigorous real-world tests and detailed rankings. You can find a comprehensive free vs paid comparison to help you identify the must-try tools that boost your productivity and give you a competitive edge. Explore now to discover your perfect tool!
9 tools
xix.ai
