Cyprus proposes new regulations to address neurotechnology legislative gaps

Cyprus is facing legislative gaps regarding neurotechnology and the protection of neurodata. During a meeting of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, concerns were raised about the potential for exploitation similar to the Mazonakis case, driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and neurotechnology.

Christos Christofides, President of the Human Rights Committee, noted that there is currently no clear record of how many neurotechnology devices are circulating within the country. To address this, a five-step proposal has been introduced. The first objective is to conduct a comprehensive registry of all neurotechnology applications and devices used in Cyprus within three months.

Further measures include collaborating with the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection to ensure neurodata is protected, even when collected by products marketed as wellness devices rather than medical tools. The proposal also emphasizes special safeguards for children and employees, specifically seeking to restrict the use of such technology for surveillance, hiring, or performance evaluation. Additionally, the creation of an interdisciplinary advisory group through the Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK) is being considered to evaluate the ethical and social dimensions of these technologies.