2025-03-13

Prof. Dr. Dr. Lela Janashvili presented a report during an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva

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The President of the Personal Data Protection Service, Lela Janashvili, presented a report during an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva. The report addressed the national legislative regulation of neurodata as a special category of personal data and data processing processes using modern technologies.

The interactive dialogue discussed the report prepared by the Special Rapporteur, Dr. Ana Brian Nougrères, on the topic: “Foundations and Principles for the Regulation of Neurotechnologies and the Processing of Neurodata from the Perspective of the Right to Privacy”. The report discusses the foundations for creating a conceptual framework for regulating the use of neurotechnologies and the processing of neurodata. In particular, it concerns the main definitions and fundamental principles for regulating this area, including the protection of human dignity and mental integrity, the recognition of neurodata as a special category of personal data and the requirement of informed consent for their processing.

In an interactive dialogue format, representatives of member states responded to the issues raised in the Special Rapporteur’s report. In her presentation, the President of the Personal Data Protection Service, Prof. Dr. Dr. Lela Janashvili, highlighted the legislative guarantees for protecting neurodata as a special category of personal data. Given the significant impact on personal data protection and the right to privacy, she emphasized the need for a dedicated regulatory framework for neurotechnologies and neurodata processing.

At the conclusion of her report, Prof. Dr. Dr. Lela Janashvili expressed gratitude to the Special Rapporteur and informed the UN Human Rights Council about the activities undertaken by the Personal Data Protection Service in this area, including efforts to raise public awareness of European standards for neurodata processing. She also noted that, given the sensitivity of the issue, one of the panel sessions at the European Conference of Data Protection Authorities—which the Personal Data Protection Service will host in May in Batumi—will be dedicated to this topic.