Abstract: 

Recent years have witnessed the emergence of direct-to-consumer electroencephalography (EEG) devices in domestic and foreign markets. The use of some products, such as the Focus headband, has given rise to social concern and ethical controversy in China. This article selects 10 representative consumer EEG products, investigates their working principles and advertising claims, and then analyzes the safety, neurohype, neuro-surveillance and neuroprivacy issues of these products. It argues that the core ethical challenges of consumer EEG products are neuro-surveillance and neuroprivacy issues. In view of the current lack of corresponding supervision at home and abroad, this article finally proposes some coping strategies to address these ethical issues.

Key Words: 

Direct-to-consumer; Electroencephalography; Ethics; Neuro-surveillance; Neuroprivacy