This provisional decision from the ICO will only add further fuel to the debate around the practices of ethical data collection and analysis – and it comes on the same day the new AI transparency standard is published. Together these show that organisations that want to harness the possibilities of AI and data-driven innovation in the UK must do so in a way that protects individuals. Organisations should be entitled to trust that providers like Clearview AI are engaging in ethical practices and that their services can be used lawfully. It’s very reassuring to see the regulator taking strong action to make AI innovators trustworthy.

Whether it’s fighting crime, preventing fraud or other forms of safeguarding through data, when the public and private sector combine, they must ensure the right processes are put in place in order to comply with data protection regulation.