Privacy and Ethical Concerns of Brain-Computer Interfaces

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is a technology that allows the exchange of information between a brain and a computer. Today, BCIs have been developed primarily to serve the medical field as a tool for prosthesis and treatment. As the trajectory of BCIs shifts to more complex and widespread applications in metaverse, the future of BCIs is projected to expand to many other sectors of society, such as communication, education, and motor enhancement. However, the current and prospective developments of BCIs raise concerns for the preservation of privacy and ethics in BCI usage. In this paper, I will explore the privacy and ethical concerns of both current and prospective applications of BCIs. I will discuss current BCI methods, including BCI neuroprosthetics, neuromodulation treatments, and close-loop devices. My anticipation of future BCI methods will center around BCI applications in the context of communication, education, and motor enhancement. I will analyze each method’s implications on privacy and ethics, and address possible concerns with potential solutions.