**United Nations Human Rights Council**
**58th Session**
**Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy**
**12 March 2025**
**EU Statement**
Mr./Madam Vice/President,
The European Union thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report on neurotechnologies and neurodata from the perspective of the right to privacy.
Notwithstanding undeniable benefits and immense promises in the field of physical and mental health, the scientific progress achieved in neurotechnologies also raises significant ethical, social and security concerns, as well as legal implications for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to privacy and freedom of thought. Other challenges relate to the protection of human dignity, as well as to the safeguarding of autonomy and agency.
The question of the right to privacy is central to the EU and its Member States’ approach to seeking a trustworthy, transparent, and accountable ecosystem for the use of neurotechnology embedded in human rights. While the EU has comprehensive legislation on the right to privacy which protects its citizens and businesses, the emergence of neurotechnologies and collection of neurodata present new regulatory challenges that need to be addressed as we are continuously learning more about their implications. For instance, with neurotechnologies and the gathering of neurodata being underpinned by developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence – now covered by the new EU AI Act with its risk-based approach – legal uncertainties need to be clarified in this context as well.
We therefore welcome the opportunity for in-depth discussions on this complex but highly important and timely issue and would also like to welcome the process underway within UNESCO looking at privacy concerns in the context of ethical aspects.
Madame Special Rapporteur,
What should be the next steps to address challenges to the right to privacy in the context of neurotechnologies and neurodata, ensuring a human rights-based approach to the development and implementation of these technologies?
Thank you.