Privacy is the most sensitive issue in the face search industry. When you upload a photo to a face search engine, you are trusting that platform with your biometric data — even if only temporarily. facesearching and PimEyes take fundamentally different approaches to privacy, and understanding these differences is essential before you use either service. This comparison examines how each platform handles your uploaded photos, stores your data, manages opt-out requests, and complies with privacy regulations like GDPR.
Photo Handling: What Happens to Your Uploaded Images?
facesearching: Deletion by Default
facesearching operates on a privacy-first model. When you upload a photo for a reverse face search, the image is processed to extract facial features and search the database. Once the search is complete — typically in under 60 seconds — the uploaded photo is deleted from facesearching's servers. Your photo is not stored, not added to any database, and not used for any purpose beyond the search you initiated. This deletion-by-default policy means that even if facesearching were compelled to hand over data, there would be no stored photos to hand over.
PimEyes: Search History and Photo Storage
PimEyes stores your search history, including uploaded photos, in your account. This allows you to revisit past searches and monitor for new appearances of a face over time, which some users find convenient. However, it also means that your photos and search history are stored on PimEyes's servers for as long as you maintain your account. If PimEyes experiences a data breach or receives a legal request, your uploaded photos and search history could potentially be exposed. This is a fundamentally different privacy model from facesearching's deletion-by-default approach.
Data Collection and Usage
facesearching Data Practices
- Uploaded photos are deleted after search completion
- No search history is stored unless the user explicitly opts in
- No user photos are added to the searchable database
- Minimal personal data collection — email for paid accounts only
- No tracking cookies or third-party analytics that compromise privacy
- No sale of user data to third parties
PimEyes Data Practices
- Uploaded photos are stored in user account history
- Search history is retained for account convenience
- Users can set up alerts for new appearances of a face
- Account data includes email, payment information, and search history
- Data may be used for service improvement and analytics
- Users can request deletion of their account and associated data
Opt-Out Processes: Removing Your Face from Search Results
Both platforms offer opt-out mechanisms for individuals who do not want their faces to appear in search results. However, the processes and philosophies differ.
facesearching Opt-Out
facesearching provides a straightforward opt-out process. Individuals can submit a request to have their face excluded from search results, and facesearching processes these requests promptly. The platform's approach is to balance the legitimate uses of face search — investigating fraud, verifying identities, protecting against scams — with the privacy rights of individuals who do not wish to be searchable. The opt-out is permanent and covers all future searches.
PimEyes Opt-Out
PimEyes also offers an opt-out mechanism, but it has faced criticism for the complexity of its process. The opt-out requires submitting a government-issued ID, which some privacy advocates argue is counterproductive — you must provide more personal data to protect your privacy. PimEyes's opt-out process has been the subject of regulatory scrutiny, particularly in Europe, where GDPR requirements demand accessible and transparent opt-out mechanisms.
GDPR and Regulatory Compliance
Both facesearching and PimEyes operate in jurisdictions that require GDPR compliance for European users. facesearching's deletion-by-default model aligns naturally with GDPR's data minimization principle — only the minimum data necessary is collected and retained. PimEyes's data retention model requires more complex GDPR compliance measures, including detailed data processing agreements, retention policies, and user data access and deletion mechanisms. For a broader comparison of privacy approaches, see our face search privacy FAQ and our full facesearching vs PimEyes comparison.
The most privacy-respecting face search engine is the one that stores the least amount of your data. facesearching's deletion-by-default model means your photo exists on the server only for the seconds it takes to complete your search — and then it is gone.