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Neurotechnology & the law: human rights & civil liberties

14 February 2025 / Harry Lambert
Issue: 8104 / Categories: Features , Profession , Technology , Health , Human rights
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What do developments in neurotechnology mean for our free will & sense of self? In Pt 7 of this special series, Harry Lambert considers the implications for the individual & society at large
  • If a person’s right to freedom of thought is considered fundamental to their sense of self, neurotechnology brings with it profound implications for identity, agency and broader human rights.
  • Neuro-marketing and neuro-politics make use of strategies that tap into the brain, subconsciously swaying consumer or voter preferences without overt awareness.
  • The absence of regulation in these areas highlights the crucial importance of human rights law in tackling the challenges they present.

2024 was the year of elections. Almost half the world’s population voted, including eight of its ten most populous countries.

Such is the increasing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) over voter habits that Tristan Harris, co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, has gone as far as to describe the 2024 US election as ‘the last human election’.

But—again—neurotechnology

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Gilson Gray—Linda Pope

Gilson Gray—Linda Pope

Partner joins family law team inLondon

Jackson Lees Group—five promotions

Jackson Lees Group—five promotions

Private client division announces five new partners

Taylor Wessing—Max Millington

Taylor Wessing—Max Millington

Banking and finance team welcomes partner in London

NEWS
The landmark Supreme Court’s decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd—along with Rukhadze v Recovery Partners—redefine fiduciary duties in commercial fraud. Writing in NLJ this week, Mary Young of Kingsley Napley analyses the implications of the rulings
Barristers Ben Keith of 5 St Andrew’s Hill and Rhys Davies of Temple Garden Chambers use the arrest of Simon Leviev—the so-called Tinder Swindler—to explore the realities of Interpol red notices, in this week's NLJ
Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys [2025] has upended assumptions about who may conduct litigation, warn Kevin Latham and Fraser Barnstaple of Kings Chambers in this week's NLJ. But is it as catastrophic as first feared?
Lord Sales has been appointed to become the Deputy President of the Supreme Court after Lord Hodge retires at the end of the year
Limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are reportedly in the firing line in Chancellor Rachel Reeves upcoming Autumn budget
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