neurodata

Neurotechnologies and Mental Privacy: Societal and Ethical Challenges

The European Parliament has launched a report addressing the implications of neurotechnologies (NT) on mental privacy. Originally used for clinical purposes, NT devices are now widely accessible for cognitive and physical enhancement, which raises privacy, security, and ethical concerns. The Neurorights Foundation (NRF), established in 2017, proposes ‘neurorights’ such as mental privacy and protection from algorithmic bias. The report evaluates these proposals and recommends a balanced regulatory framework to protect users while fostering responsible NT development.

The study recommends six actions: investigating technology-centred risk evaluations, tracking public communication on NT, discontinuing neurorights as human/fundamental rights, funding research to fill existing gaps, supporting EU NT providers, and investigating the need for new NT device standards. This builds on a prior EDPS tech dispatch highlighting similar data protection needs.

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EDPS and AEPD Insights into Challenges of Neurodata Processing for Privacy and Data Protection

EDPS and AEPD Insights into Challenges of Neurodata Processing for Privacy and Data Protection

On 27 June 2024, the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) and the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) published a joint report on neurodata processing. Neurodata, defined as information gathered from the brain and nervous system, includes brain activity, structure, and function data. The report warns of significant privacy risks, especially with the rise of neurotechnologies in marketing and entertainment. It proposes the creation of new “neurorights” and emphasizes stringent data protection principles, including proportionality and transparency, to address the invasive nature of neurodata.

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