Mined behavioural computing data shows early signs of Parkinson's Disease
In 2018, a Duke University medical doctor who worked with Microsoft researchers to analyse millions of Bing user searches found links between some computer users' physical behaviours - tremors while using a mouse, repeated queries, and average scrolling speed - and Parkinson's disease. The hope was to be able to diagnose conditions like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's earlier and more accurately. Other such studies tracked participants via a weekly online health survey, mouse usage, and, via sensors installed in cars' data ports, driving patterns. The researchers claim the data being analysed has been anonymised and can't be tracked back to the original users, and that the activities are likely covered by privacy policies, but it's still unclear how and whether individual consent should or could be obtained.
Writer: Sumathi Reddy
Publication: Wall Street Journal
People must know
People must be able to know what data is being generated by devices, the networks and platforms we use, and the infrastructure within which devices become embedded. People should be able to know and ultimately determine the manner of processing.
Limit data analysis by design
As nearly every human interaction now generates some form of data, systems should be designed to limit the invasiveness of data analysis by all parties in the transaction and networking.
Control over intelligence
Individuals should have control over the data generated about their activities, conduct, devices, and interactions, and be able to determine who is gaining this intelligence and how it is to be used.
Identities under our control
Individuals must be able to selectively disclose their identity, generate new identities, pseudonyms, and/or remain anonymous.
We should know all our data and profiles
Individuals need to have full insight into their profiles. This includes full access to derived, inferred and predicted data about them.
We may challenge consequential decisions
Individuals should be able to know about, understand, question and challenge consequential decisions that are made about them and their environment. This means that controllers too should have an insight into and control over this processing.