Hacking the Human Mind: Lessons for Canada’s Democracy

Organization

Centre for International Governance Innovation

Published

2024

Project Leader(s)

Aaron Shull, Managing Director & General Counsel
Centre for International Governance Innovation

Summary

As part of the “Hacking the Human Mind” project, CIGI drew on transdisciplinary expertise to produce and disseminate research aimed at advancing policy-relevant thinking and knowledge-sharing with the Canadian public. This research addressed the negative effects of digital, transformative technologies, and harmful algorithms, exploring key questions such as, “What are the risks to privacy and cognitive freedom posed by technological advances?” We achieved this through:

1. Roundtable Discussion
   In collaboration with Georgetown University’s Center for Digital Ethics, CIGI co-hosted a panel featuring Aaron Shull, Susie Alegre, and Laura DeNardis
2. Policy Brief
   Commissioned by CIGI, and part of CIGI’s larger Freedom of Thought (FoT) program, Emily Laidlaw authored, “Technology-Facilitated Mind Hacking: Protection of Inner Freedoms in Canadian Law.”
3. Explainer Video
   In the video, Shull outlines the relationship between technology, PIPEDA, digital sovereignty, and safeguarding inner freedoms and protecting our privacy.
4. Thought Piece
   Shull nods to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s keynote address at the 25th Annual Vancouver International Privacy and Security Summit and argues for legislative reform to protect our privacy and FoT. The piece is titled, “Safeguarding Privacy and Preserving Freedom of Thought in Canada: A Call to Action.”

The findings culminated in the call for the Human Rights Committee to issue a General Comment clarifying when the use of technology contravenes the right to FoT to assess when action is lawful influence or unlawful manipulation. Read the report: “Freedom of Thought: Reviving and Protecting a Forgotten Human Right.”

Project deliverables are available in the following language(s):

English

• Panel on “Digital Ethics and the Freedom of Thought”
• Technology-Facilitated Mind Hacking: Protection of Inner Freedoms in Canadian Law Policy Brief No. 5
• Protecting Privacy Online Is Essential to Freedom of Thought (Video)
• Safeguarding Privacy and Preserving Freedom of Thought in Canada: A Call to Action
• Freedom of Thought: Reviving and Protecting a Forgotten Human Right (Special Report)
• Legitimate Influence or Unlawful Manipulation? (Report)

OPC Funded Project

This project received funding support through the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s Contributions Program. The opinions expressed in the summary and report(s) are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Summaries have been provided by the project authors. Please note that the projects appear in their language of origin.

Contact Information

Aaron Shull, M.A., LL.B., LL.M.
Managing Director & General Counsel
Centre for International Governance Innovation
67 Erb Street West, Waterloo, Ontario Canada  N2L 6C2
Telephone: +1 (519) 885 2444 ext. 7478
Email: ashull@cigionline.org
Website www.cigionline.org: