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NLJ this week: Privacy creep in the brave new world of neurotech

11 October 2024
Issue: 8089 / Categories: Legal News , Technology , Privacy , Data protection , Profession
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Delving into the realms of what feels like sci-fi but is actually already here, Harry Lambert, barrister at Crown Office Chambers and founder of the Institute of Neurotechnology & Law, continues his fascinating NLJ series on neurorights

In this article, he focuses on neurotechnology and its intersection with privacy rights.

Scenarios include the use of brain waves as biometric security ‘with users thinking a particular phrase or singing their favourite song (in their heads) to gain access to the device’.

Lambert writes: ‘If we are not careful, the pact society makes with Big Tech is going to become increasingly Faustian.’

He considers a variety of causes of action: breach of confidence, misuse of private information, and breach of the General Data Protection Regulation.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Tech companies will be legally required to prevent material that encourages or assists serious self-harm appearing on their platforms, under Online Safety Act 2023 regulations due to come into force in the autumn
Commercial leasehold, the defence of insanity and ‘consent’ in the criminal law are among the next tranche of projects for the Law Commission
The Bar has a culture of ‘impunity’ and ‘collusive bystanding’ in which making a complaint is deemed career-ending due to a ‘cohort of untouchables’ at the top, Baroness Harriet Harman KC has found
Lawyers have broadly welcomed plans to electronically tag up to 22,000 more offenders, scrap most prison terms below a year and make prisoners ‘earn’ early release
David Lammy, Ellie Reeves and Baroness Levitt have taken up office at the Ministry of Justice, following the cabinet reshuffle
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