Clearview AI Is Testing an AI Tool That Would Let Cops Unearth Your Life Online

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Published: 2026-09-10T10:10:12.304Z • Permanent link

Clearview AI, a company notorious for its facial recognition technology, has been testing an AI tool that allows law enforcement to gather a vast array of personal data about individuals online. The tool, known as InquiryIQ, is a prototype developed by Clearview in collaboration with xAI, the maker of the Grok AI platform. InquiryIQ uses xAI's model to surface information about people identified through Clearview's facial recognition technology, including associates, social accounts, and other personal details.

The project has raised concerns about the potential misuse of personal data by law enforcement agencies. Clearview's CEO, Hoan Ton-That, has been a vocal advocate for the use of facial recognition technology, and his company has faced numerous lawsuits and regulatory challenges over the years. The development of InquiryIQ is seen as a significant escalation of Clearview's efforts to expand its reach and capabilities.

Law enforcement agencies in the United States have been increasingly using facial recognition technology to identify suspects and solve crimes. The FBI has also been using Clearview's technology, and the company has provided its services to numerous law enforcement agencies across the country. The testing of InquiryIQ marks a significant expansion of Clearview's capabilities, and it is likely to have far-reaching implications for the use of facial recognition technology in law enforcement.

The development of InquiryIQ has significant implications for the research community, particularly those studying the intersection of technology and law enforcement. Researchers have long been concerned about the potential misuse of personal data by law enforcement agencies, and the testing of InquiryIQ has raised fresh concerns about the need for greater regulation and oversight. Clearview's technology has already been used to identify and track individuals, including protesters and activists, and the company's efforts to expand its capabilities have sparked widespread criticism.

Clearview's actions have also raised concerns about the impact on the data sources industry as a whole. Companies that provide data and analytics services to law enforcement agencies, such as Palantir and IBM, have been criticized for their role in facilitating the use of facial recognition technology. The development of InquiryIQ has highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of personal data by law enforcement agencies.

The testing of InquiryIQ is part of a broader pattern of increasing use of facial recognition technology in law enforcement. In recent years, numerous cities and states have passed laws regulating the use of facial recognition technology, and the company has faced numerous lawsuits and regulatory challenges over the years. However, Clearview has continued to push forward, and its efforts have been supported by some law enforcement agencies and policymakers.