Attackers would no longer just steal patient data; they could interfere with their minds and actions.
In contrast, decentralization distributes that power. It ensures that no single actor can unilaterally access a person’s most vulnerable data and take control over their lives. Encryption keys remain with the user. Access to neural profiles is granted only with explicit consent and can be revoked at any moment.
Most importantly, decentralization also ensures pluralism. Just as open-source software enabled an explosion of innovation on the internet and in banking, decentralized brain networks can foster diverse applications without a single entity dictating the terms and conditions of that mental experience.