Remote Neural Monitoring

Remote Neural Monitoring is a form of functional neuroimaging, claimed^[1] to have been developed by the National Security Agency(NSA), that is capable of extracting EEG data from the human brain at a distance with no contacts or electrodes required. It is further claimed that the NSA has the capablility to decode this data to extract subvocalizations, visual and auditory data. In effect it allows access to a person's thoughts^[2] without their knowledge or permission. It has been alleged that various organizations have been using Remote Neural Monitoring on US and other citizens for surveillance and harassment purposes.^[3].

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History

Remote Neural Monitoring has its roots in the infamous MKULTRA project of the 1950s which, although it focussed on drugs for mind control, also included neurological research into "radiation" (non-ionizing EMF) and bioelectric research and development. The earliest non-classified references to this type of technology appear in a 1976 patent by R.G. Malech Patent #3951134  “Apparatus and method for remotely monitoring and altering brain waves” USPTO granted 4/20/76. The patent describes a technique using the transmission of 100 and 210 MHz signals to the brain yielding a 110 MHz signal which is modulated by the brain waves and can be detected by a receiver for further processing.

In the early 1980s it is claimed that the NSA began extensive use of Remote Neural Monitoring. Much of what is known about it stems from evidence presented as part of a 1992 court case brought by former NSA employee John St.Claire Akwei against the NSA. It describes an extensive array of advanced technology and resources dedicated to remotely monitoring hundreds of thousands of people in the US and abroad. Capabilities include access to an individual's subvocalizations as well as images from the visual cortex and sounds from the auditory cortex.

Peaceful applications

While use of this technology by organizations like the NSA is difficult to validate, recent advances in non-classified areas are already demonstrating what is possible:

• Subvocal recognition using attached electrodes has already been achieved by NASA^[4].
• BCIs for gaming consoles from companies like NeuroSky perform primitive "thought reading" in that they can be controlled with a helmet on the player's head, where the player can execute a few commands just by thinking about them.
• Ambient has demonstrated a motorized wheelchair that is controlled by thought^[5].

See also

• NSA warrantless surveillance controversy
• NSA electronic surveillance program
• subvocal recognition
• neuroethics

References