Why your brain could be the next frontier of data privacy

Sebastian Reul of Germany looks up as he competes during the Brain-Computer Interface Race in Switzerland in 2016. (Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters)

Imagine a future in which a wearable device tells advertisers when you're in the mood for chocolate, or lets your employer know when you're not paying attention at work. Or where a medical implant that's supposed to save your life ends up being used against you in court.

These are some of the scenarios that people in the emerging field of neural privacy are worried about — and they say some are already closer to reality than you might think. 

As tech companies and scientists invest in technology that interacts with our brains, some experts say these concerns are overblown, and that we're far from being able to map moods and thoughts in a meaningful way. 

Others, however, say brain data is the next frontier of privacy, and we need to pass laws to protect our brain data now.

"There are obviously a lot of bad actors out in the world that are going to try to use these devices for really worrying purposes," said Jared Genser, a human rights lawyer and co-founder of the Neurorights Foundation.

It's not the pizza, say dermatologists. What really causes acne breakouts

Roughly 20 per cent of all Canadians experience acne. (iStock/Getty Images)

Skin care influencer Dr. Stefanie Stockhamer says her experiences with acne began in adolescence. At the time, her breakouts were mild and relatively within control. That changed once she began medical school.

"It was my mid-20s when it got a lot worse, significantly worse than it's ever been in my adolescence," said Stockhamer, a 26-year-old family medicine resident at the University of Rochester, originally from Toronto. 

"And it's still something that I do struggle with today."

As common as acne is, experts say there are some popular misconceptions about its causes. Research suggests diet and poor hygiene are not the clear culprits, but rather a multitude of factors are at play, including genetics, hormonal changes — and stress. 

How to inspire neighbourhoods to fight climate change? It's all about taking action

Edmonton is getting community involved in fighting climate change through a new program called Neighbouring for Climate. (City of Edmonton)

Howard Lawrence says everyone knows the saying that it takes a village to raise a child. He argues the same applies for fighting climate change and reducing our carbon footprints.

"All of these things are really born out of the fact that neighbours are taking responsibility for their place," said Lawrence, neighbourhood resource co-ordinator for the City of Edmonton.

Lawrence works on a new program in Edmonton called Neighbouring for Climate, which is meant to bring people together and give them the tools they need to fight climate change in their own community. 

It can be as simple as working together to complete a list of action items such as helping a next-door neighbour put solar panels on their roof, creating a sustainable community garden, or figuring out who can help with what in times of need.

Similar initiatives are taking root in Vancouver, Sudbury and elsewhere across Canada.

Why some travellers are falling out of love with Airbnb

At first, short-term rentals offered unique lodging and authentic experiences at a reasonable price. But as the gap between short-term rentals and hotel prices shrinks, some people are wondering: 'Why do I have to take out the trash?' (John MacDougall/Getty Images)

Maureen McCartney has been using Airbnb for her travel accommodations for about eight years. But she's started using hotels instead, after her last few stays didn't go so well.

"It was damp down there. And they still had, like, the tools sitting there, like the circular saw, with the jagged edges on the wall, like a couple of them and other tools," McCartney, who is from Victoria, B.C., said of an Airbnb she stayed at during a recent trip to Seattle.

She's not the only one. A Google search for Airbnb on Reddit surfaces complaints above anything else, including "Is Airbnb even worth it anymore?"; "Is this the downfall of Airbnb?" or "Staying in a terrible Airbnb right now [Canada]."

In recent years, the price difference between traditional hotels and short-term rental (STR) services have shrunk — and hotels have begun offering some amenities people expect from Airbnbs. With the two options becoming more similar, travellers have begun to rethink their options.