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The New Frontier of Data Privacy: Your Inner Thoughts Available to Who?

Published on
April 30, 2024

Do you consider your personal thoughts private? Would you be surprised if we told you that neurotechnology today is on the precipice of turning your inner world into a stream of text? Sounds too dystopian to be possible? In the recent report from The Neurorights Foundation, titled Safeguarding Brain Data: Assessing the Privacy Practices of Consumer Neurotechnology Companies, we find a multitude of companies playing with the idea of your neural data in ways you might never have imagined possible. In other words, more than ever, you should care about your personal data.

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, the concept of privacy is undergoing a profound revolution. As we delve deeper into the realms of neurotechnology and artificial intelligence, a groundbreaking field is emerging:

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‍Neural Data. 🚀💡

But what was once groundbreaking in the medical field for facilitating communication with patients afflicted with parkinsons, alzheimers, or comas, has now entered new territory as companies develop various ways of capitalising on this tech.

The human brain generates data as unique as fingerprints, reflecting the intricacies of our central and peripheral nervous systems. Neural data has the potential to expose profoundly sensitive information, including personal details about our mental and physical health, as well as our cognitive processes.🌟💻

A world where your inner thoughts are no longer private, where even the most fleeting ideas are susceptible to being captured, shared, and even commercialized by neurotechnology devices might seem like science fiction. But the fact is, this isn’t a hypothetical scenario—it's our current reality. 🌐🔍

The recent report from The Neurorights Foundation indicates that providers of consumer neurotechnology devices operate with varying (and questionable) degrees of transparency and accountability. From concerns about data minimization to the ambiguous treatment of neural data as personal information, the gaps in privacy protection are glaring. 🕵️♂️🔍

🇺🇸 Yet, amidst these challenges, it's reassuring to witness simultaneous movement to the contrary, centered on protection and privacy. Colorado is taking a significant stride forward by amending its privacy laws to explicitly include protections for neural data. The bill aims at safeguarding biological data, including neural data. The bill recognizes the uniqueness of every human brain, emphasizing that neural data is inherently specific to individuals and contains sensitive information about brain structure and function. It acknowledges the involuntary disclosure of information inherent in the collection of neural data, even when individuals consent to its use. This legislative step marks a crucial advancement in protecting individual privacy and autonomy in the digital age.

➡️ While this achievement is commendable, there is clearly still much work to be done to ensure the global protection of neurorights. It's heartening to witness the dedication of scholars, professionals, and advocates who continue to push forward in advancing this cause. For further updates and insights into the latest developments in the field, explore the resources provided by the Neurorights Foundation: https://neurorightsfoundation.org/publications

🇪🇺 In Europe, the OECD - OCDE released its #Neurotechnology Toolkit earlier this month in Paris. The aim is to provide a boost to anticipatory #governance, covering each step of the technology development process. It defines neurotechnology as encompassing devices and procedures used to access, monitor, investigate, assess, manipulate, and emulate the structure and function of natural persons' neural systems. The toolkit aims to assist governments and innovators in navigating the ethical, legal, and social challenges posed by emerging health-related neurotechnologies while fostering innovation. It outlines nine principles, including promoting responsible innovation, prioritizing safety assessment, promoting inclusivity, fostering scientific collaboration, enabling societal deliberation, ensuring oversight capacity, safeguarding personal brain data, promoting cultures of stewardship and trust, and anticipating and monitoring potential unintended use or misuse.

➡️ https://www.oecd.org/health/emerging-tech/neurotech-toolkit.pdf

👀 And it’s not over! Coinciding with the unveiling of the OECD - OCDE Neurotechnology Toolkit, an exciting convergence of minds took place at UNESCO, where 24 global experts pioneered a groundbreaking global standard on the ethics of neurotechnology. With UNESCO comprising 194 member states, the potential impact of this standard on shaping the future of neurotechnology cannot be overstated, prioritizing human rights and the enhancement of human well-being. Key takeaways underscore the optimism surrounding neurotechnology's potential for elevating human welfare, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework amidst its integration with AI and spatial computing. Ensuring the protection of individual and community rights, including self-determination and mental privacy, remains paramount, necessitating a holistic approach to neural data management and regulation.

➡️ You can follow the unfolding of UNESCO ’s work through Nita Farahany’s posts, as she focuses on the applications of neurotechnologies tomorrow: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nitafarahany_neuroethics-neurotechnology-neurotech-activity-7188216161988149248-kw4K?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

We strongly believe that this endeavor transcends legal frameworks; it's about safeguarding the fundamental rights that define us as individuals. It's about upholding the sanctity of our thoughts and ensuring that our cognitive autonomy remains inviolable. 💪🛡️

As we navigate this uncharted territory, let's champion fairness, transparency, accountability, and ethical practices in the realm of neural data. Let's endeavor to shape a future where innovation flourishes in harmony with the preservation of individual privacy and dignity. 🌟🤝

➡️ For a deeper dive into the subject, we recommend exploring "The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power" by Shoshana Zuboff.

Let's embark together on this journey toward a future where the potential of neurotechnologies is harnessed responsibly, preserving the essence of what it means to be human. 🌍 🧠

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