Australia’s privacy watchdog will investigate how Clearview AI handles personal data after several police agencies admitted to using its facial recognition tool.

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) launched the probe on Thursday with the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Clearview AI markets its tool to law enforcement. It matches images with billions of online photos, including those on social media, to identify suspects.

The joint investigation will examine Clearview’s use of “scraped” data and biometric information, as well as its overall data practices.

“This investigation shows the need for international cooperation to protect Australians’ and UK citizens’ personal information,” OAIC said.

Both OAIC and ICO stated they would not comment further while the investigation continues.

The probe follows OAIC’s earlier inquiries this year. Reports revealed 2,200 law enforcement agencies worldwide had used the tool, including the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and state police in Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia.

Initially, the agencies denied using Clearview AI. Later, AFP and Victoria Police admitted to trialing it in late 2019.

AFP confirmed that seven officers from the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation used the tool during the trial. They conducted searches after receiving invitations from Clearview AI.

Victoria Police also admitted, via a freedom of information request, that officers from the Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team ran more than ten searches during the trial.

Both AFP and Victoria Police emphasized they had not adopted Clearview AI as a full-time product and had no formal contracts.

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