Clearview AI CEO Hoan Ton-That Resigns Amid Facial Recognition Controversies

Hoan Ton-That, co-founder and CEO of controversial facial recognition startup Clearview AI, resigned from his position, stating “it is time for the next chapter in my life.” Ton-That said he would remain on as a board member but declined to comment on what specifically sparked his resignation. The leadership transition occurred as Clearview AI positioned itself to capitalize on new “opportunities” under the Trump administration’s expansion of surveillance and immigration enforcement.

Leadership Transition and Trump Administration Opportunities

Clearview AI immediately installed two “co-CEOs” to replace Ton-That: early investor Hal Lambert and co-founder Richard Schwartz, who had served as an aide to Rudy Giuliani during his tenure as New York City mayor. The new leadership explicitly stated their intention to capitalize on opportunities presented by the Trump administration’s policies, suggesting increased government contracts for facial recognition surveillance. The timing of the resignation, coming shortly after Trump’s inauguration, indicated strategic repositioning to align with the new administration’s authoritarian surveillance priorities.

Complex Resignation Timeline and Board Removal

The resignation followed a complex leadership transition that began in December 2024, when Ton-That stepped down as CEO and transitioned into the role of president before resigning from that post in February 2025. In a further development, Ton-That was unexpectedly removed from the Clearview AI board following a shareholder vote in April 2025, completely severing the founder’s formal connection to the company he created.

Significance

The departure of Clearview AI’s founder marked a strategic pivot for the surveillance company toward deeper integration with U.S. government agencies under the Trump administration. The installation of Schwartz - a Giuliani associate with established Republican political connections - signaled the company’s transformation from a tech startup into a political surveillance contractor aligned with authoritarian governance. The founder’s complete removal by shareholders suggested internal conflicts about the company’s direction and willingness to expand surveillance capabilities for political purposes. The timing coincided with the Trump administration’s expansion of ICE surveillance powers, including the $9.2 million Clearview AI contract awarded in September 2025, demonstrating how private surveillance infrastructure was being weaponized for immigration enforcement and political control.