The Risks of Discrimination from Neurotech: Protecting Individuals from Unfair Treatment.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is warning of potential discrimination issues arising from the widespread use of neurotechnologies over the next decade. Neurotech is already used in the healthcare sector to predict, diagnose and treat complex illnesses, exemplified by a Dutch man in May being able to walk again thanks to electronic implants in his brain. This technology collects intimate personal information, such as emotions and behaviours, which leads to a real danger of discrimination when these technologies are developed or deployed inappropriately. The risks of inaccurate data arise when devices are not adequately tested on different individuals, particularly those who are neurodivergent or may have trained on neuronormative patterns. A potential discriminatory issue arises when neuropatterns or data are seen as undesirable due to ingrained bias, potentially leading to them being overlooked for jobs and promotions. The ICO recommends organisations act now to avoid any potential unfairness.