HomeClearview AI CEO Resigns Amid Controversy
The CEO of Clearview AI, the controversial facial recognition company that built a searchable database with 30 billion photos scraped from the internet, has stepped down. Hoan Ton-That announced his resignation in a statement to TechCrunch, saying, "it is time for the next chapter in my life," and that he'll stick around as a board member. When pressed for more details on why he's leaving, Ton-That kept it zipped.
Forbes broke the news first, and now Clearview AI has appointed two "co-CEOs": early investor Hal Lambert and co-founder Richard Schwartz. They're keen to seize new "opportunities" during the Trump administration, according to a statement sent to TechCrunch.
Both Lambert and Schwartz have deep roots in Republican politics. Lambert's investment firm, Point Bridge Capital, made waves with the MAGA ETF back in 2017, which throws money at companies that back Republican candidates. Schwartz, on the other hand, was a senior advisor to Rudy Giuliani during his time as New York City's mayor.
Clearview AI sells access to its facial recognition database to law enforcement and federal agencies, helping them identify suspects or locate missing folks. But since the startup grabbed those photos without asking, it's been hit with a bunch of privacy lawsuits and fines.
As of September 2024, Clearview AI has racked up over $100 million in GDPR fines from data protection agencies in the Netherlands, France, and other places. They've been pretty stubborn about it, refusing to cough up the cash. When TechCrunch asked if they've paid any fines yet, Clearview AI didn't even bother to reply.
Clearview AI also got tangled up in a lawsuit with conservative investor and self-proclaimed investigative journalist Charles Johnson. Johnson claimed he was a co-founder and deserved a cut of the commissions, but he recently dropped the suit. However, Clearview AI's counterclaims against Johnson, which include defamation and breach of contract, are still going strong, according to Biometric Update.
Ton-That didn't spill the beans on his future plans when TechCrunch asked. He did say that Clearview AI is in its "strongest position ever" financially, boasting the highest growth and revenue in 2024. Yet, the startup has struggled to land big federal contracts and remains in the red, as Forbes pointed out.
Clearview AI, backed by investors like Peter Thiel and Naval Ravikant, raised $30 million in a Series B round in 2021, valuing the company at $130 million, according to their website.
Related article
Andreessen-backed Vals Targets AI Benchmarking Leadership
Benchmarking has become the industry standard for how AI companies validate their models’ capabilities, leverage favorable metrics to differentiate from competitors, and market their superiority. In short, strong benchmark results almost always trans
Warner Music acquires AI attribution startup Sureel AI
Warner Music Group (WMG) confirmed on Wednesday that it is acquiring Sureel AI, an artificial intelligence attribution startup. Sureel’s proprietary technology generates “AI DNA” for musical tracks, deconstructing them into constituent elements to tr
Ex-Meta Researchers Aim to Bring Visual AI to Factory Floors
Artificial intelligence is reshaping our world, yet it has mostly stayed within digital boundaries. Now, a new wave of startups is bringing these capabilities into the physical world.Perceptron, founded by two ex-Meta researchers, is leading this shi
Related Special Topic Recommendations
Design & Art
Top AI Illustration Tools: Create Editorial Scenes and Cover Art Faster
2026 Latest Top-rated AI Illustration Tools: Our curated list features the best powerfully designed tools for creating stunning editorial scenes and eye-catching cover art quickly. Each option has gone through rigorous real-world tests, offering a free vs paid comparison to help you find the perfect match for your workflow. Try these must-try solutions today to unlock your AI edge and boost your creative productivity. Explore now at XIX.AI.
10 tools
xix.ai
Education and Learning
Top AI Tutors for Exam Prep: Practice Math, Science, and English
2026 Latest Top-Rated Best AI Tutors for Exam Prep are here on XIX.AI! Our curated list features powerful game-changing tools that offer free vs paid comparison, real-world tests, and weekly updated rankings. They help boost your writing efficiency, simplify complex topic learning, and unlock your academic potential. Explore now to Discover your perfect exam prep tool and Start creating today to Unlock your AI edge!
10 tools
xix.ai
Finance
AI Budget Planning Tools for Personal Money Management
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Budget Planning Tools for Personal Money Management are here on XIX.AI! This curated collection features powerful, game-changing solutions that help you conduct real-world tests, understand spending habits, and create personalized plans to boost productivity. Enjoy a free vs paid comparison along with detailed rankings. Must-try tools designed to simplify money management and unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
11 tools
xix.ai
Health & Wellness
AI Sleep Tracking Assistants: Improve Recovery with Better Bedtime Habits
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Sleep Tracking Assistants curated for ultimate recovery. This fully updated weekly guide features powerful tools that deliver real-world tests, free vs paid comparison, and detailed rankings to help you find the must-try solution that boosts sleep quality and supports better bedtime habits. Explore now at XIX.AI to Unlock your AI edge.
10 tools
xix.ai
Data Analysis
AI SQL Copilots for Product and Revenue Analytics
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI SQL Copilots for Product and Revenue Analytics! XIX.AI has curated a powerful, game-changing collection of must-try tools that undergo real-world tests through weekly updated rankings. These tools help users boost productivity significantly by accelerating data analysis, streamlining complex queries, and generating accurate insights to drive smarter business decisions. Explore now to Discover your perfect tool for unlocking your AI edge!
14 tools
xix.ai
Education and Learning
Best AI Homework Helpers That Teach: Learn Concepts, Not Just Answers
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Homework Helpers That Teach Core Concepts Not Just Answers Powerful Tools for Students Must-Try Curated List Weekly Updated Free vs Paid Comparison Real-World Tests Accurate Rankings to Help You Unlock Your Full Learning Potential Explore now to Discover your perfect tool for smarter studying.
10 tools
xix.ai
Comments (40)
0/500
![EricNelson]()
E aí, CEO saindo no meio da polêmica... que surpresa? 🤨 A Clearview sempre deu arrepios com aquele banco de dados de 30 bilhões de fotos. Imagina o poder nas mãos de qualquer governo? Acho que o 'próximo capítulo' dele deve ser bem tranquilo, longe dos tribunais.
![PaulTaylor]()
¿Y ahora qué van a hacer con toda esa base de datos? 😬 Me parece una decisión bastante conveniente... justo cuando hay tantas demandas y regulaciones en puerta. Al menos es un alivio que salga del cargo, pero la tecnología en sí sigue siendo preocupante. 🕵️
![JasonRoberts]()
¡Polémica hasta el final! 🫣 Qué casualidad que el CEO renuncie justo cuando la presión pública es máxima. Me pregunto si su 'nuevo capítulo' incluirá menos problemas legales... Es impresionante (y aterrador) lo lejos que llegó esta empresa recolectando fotos sin consentimiento. ¿Habrá consecuencias reales o solo un cambio de fachada?
![JuanEvans]()
Wow, the Clearview AI CEO stepping down is huge! 😮 With all the privacy concerns around their massive photo database, I wonder if this is a sign of bigger changes coming. What’s next for facial recognition tech?
![PaulHernández]()
Wow, the Clearview AI CEO stepping down feels like a plot twist in a sci-fi thriller! 😲 That massive photo database always gave me the creeps—30 billion faces scraped off the web? Yikes. Curious to see what 'next chapter' means for him and what happens to all that data now.
![BrianAdams]()
CEO của Clearview AI từ chức? Đó là tin lớn! Công nghệ nhận diện khuôn mặt luôn làm tôi cảm thấy hơi rùng rợn. Có lẽ họ cần một khởi đầu mới. Hy vọng lãnh đạo mới sẽ mang lại nhiều sự minh bạch và đạo đức hơn! 🤞
Andreessen-backed Vals Targets AI Benchmarking Leadership
Benchmarking has become the industry standard for how AI companies validate their models’ capabilities, leverage favorable metrics to differentiate from competitors, and market their superiority. In short, strong benchmark results almost always trans
Warner Music acquires AI attribution startup Sureel AI
Warner Music Group (WMG) confirmed on Wednesday that it is acquiring Sureel AI, an artificial intelligence attribution startup. Sureel’s proprietary technology generates “AI DNA” for musical tracks, deconstructing them into constituent elements to tr
Ex-Meta Researchers Aim to Bring Visual AI to Factory Floors
Artificial intelligence is reshaping our world, yet it has mostly stayed within digital boundaries. Now, a new wave of startups is bringing these capabilities into the physical world.Perceptron, founded by two ex-Meta researchers, is leading this shi
2026 Latest Top-rated AI Illustration Tools: Our curated list features the best powerfully designed tools for creating stunning editorial scenes and eye-catching cover art quickly. Each option has gone through rigorous real-world tests, offering a free vs paid comparison to help you find the perfect match for your workflow. Try these must-try solutions today to unlock your AI edge and boost your creative productivity. Explore now at XIX.AI.
10 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Top-Rated Best AI Tutors for Exam Prep are here on XIX.AI! Our curated list features powerful game-changing tools that offer free vs paid comparison, real-world tests, and weekly updated rankings. They help boost your writing efficiency, simplify complex topic learning, and unlock your academic potential. Explore now to Discover your perfect exam prep tool and Start creating today to Unlock your AI edge!
10 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Budget Planning Tools for Personal Money Management are here on XIX.AI! This curated collection features powerful, game-changing solutions that help you conduct real-world tests, understand spending habits, and create personalized plans to boost productivity. Enjoy a free vs paid comparison along with detailed rankings. Must-try tools designed to simplify money management and unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
11 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Sleep Tracking Assistants curated for ultimate recovery. This fully updated weekly guide features powerful tools that deliver real-world tests, free vs paid comparison, and detailed rankings to help you find the must-try solution that boosts sleep quality and supports better bedtime habits. Explore now at XIX.AI to Unlock your AI edge.
10 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI SQL Copilots for Product and Revenue Analytics! XIX.AI has curated a powerful, game-changing collection of must-try tools that undergo real-world tests through weekly updated rankings. These tools help users boost productivity significantly by accelerating data analysis, streamlining complex queries, and generating accurate insights to drive smarter business decisions. Explore now to Discover your perfect tool for unlocking your AI edge!
14 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Homework Helpers That Teach Core Concepts Not Just Answers Powerful Tools for Students Must-Try Curated List Weekly Updated Free vs Paid Comparison Real-World Tests Accurate Rankings to Help You Unlock Your Full Learning Potential Explore now to Discover your perfect tool for smarter studying.
10 tools
xix.ai
E aí, CEO saindo no meio da polêmica... que surpresa? 🤨 A Clearview sempre deu arrepios com aquele banco de dados de 30 bilhões de fotos. Imagina o poder nas mãos de qualquer governo? Acho que o 'próximo capítulo' dele deve ser bem tranquilo, longe dos tribunais.
¿Y ahora qué van a hacer con toda esa base de datos? 😬 Me parece una decisión bastante conveniente... justo cuando hay tantas demandas y regulaciones en puerta. Al menos es un alivio que salga del cargo, pero la tecnología en sí sigue siendo preocupante. 🕵️
¡Polémica hasta el final! 🫣 Qué casualidad que el CEO renuncie justo cuando la presión pública es máxima. Me pregunto si su 'nuevo capítulo' incluirá menos problemas legales... Es impresionante (y aterrador) lo lejos que llegó esta empresa recolectando fotos sin consentimiento. ¿Habrá consecuencias reales o solo un cambio de fachada?
Wow, the Clearview AI CEO stepping down is huge! 😮 With all the privacy concerns around their massive photo database, I wonder if this is a sign of bigger changes coming. What’s next for facial recognition tech?
Wow, the Clearview AI CEO stepping down feels like a plot twist in a sci-fi thriller! 😲 That massive photo database always gave me the creeps—30 billion faces scraped off the web? Yikes. Curious to see what 'next chapter' means for him and what happens to all that data now.
CEO của Clearview AI từ chức? Đó là tin lớn! Công nghệ nhận diện khuôn mặt luôn làm tôi cảm thấy hơi rùng rợn. Có lẽ họ cần một khởi đầu mới. Hy vọng lãnh đạo mới sẽ mang lại nhiều sự minh bạch và đạo đức hơn! 🤞
