'International cooperation needed for responsible use of intimate data'
International policymakers, politicians and developers must move quickly on measures around the collection and use of intimate data, such as pupillary reflexes, by extended reality (XR) devices. So argues research leader Mariëtte van Huijstee of the Rathenau Instituut this week at the US technology conference South by Southwest (SXSW).
From 8 to 16 March, the annual technology congress SXSW takes place in Austin, Texas. The congress demonstrates a clear emergence of consumer oriented technology that integrates information about your body (biometric data) with digital technology. The annual Tech Trend Report that was presented by the US Future Today Institute identifies an ever-increasing fusion of technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology and technology in wearables such as virtual reality and augmented reality headsets (so called immersive technologies).
International policymakers and politicians should be mindful of the huge amount of intimate personal data that can be collected and analysed by these emerging technologies. Some of the latest models and prototypes of XR devices collect data on pupillary reflexes, brain and muscle activity.
International network launched
At the conference, an international network of policymakers, researchers and technology developers has been launched to promote mutual knowledge exchange when it comes to public values and immersive technologies. Such a network is very important, says Van Huijstee. 'This is the time to develop concrete measures to protect future users of immersive technologies. No matter how valuable certain applications may be: we should not be blinded by the opportunities presented by the fusion of biotechnology and digital technologies.'
Van Huijstee warns that society should not make the same mistake as it did with the rise of the internet and social media. Back then, policymakers, developers, and users mainly focused on the opportunities; there was much less attention being paid to the risks. Only now that the technology is widely used, the disadvantages are becoming visible, such as dependence on large technology companies, large scale data collection, harmful behavior on social media and addiction problems. Regulation is in the making, but it still has not caught up to the current situation.
In a recent report, the Rathenau Instituut identified a number of options available to policymakers to encourage responsible handling of intimate data. These results will be highlighted at SXSW.
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About the presentation
Mariëtte van Huijstee's presentation was part of a session including Alexandra van Huffelen, outgoing State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Digitalisation. The session was organised by Creative NL and New Dutch Wave. Creative NL is an internationalisation portal for and of the Dutch Creative Industry. New Dutch Wave is an International movement to celebrate top notch Dutch creativity and entrepreneurship.