# Our Manifesto Personal biometric data is currently collected and stored by individual wearable manufacturers. As a consequence, data is only analysed with algorithms developed in house, and data from different devices do not have the ability to be integrated during analysis. This stifles innovation and limits user insights. Personal biometric data is often sold to third parties and affiliates, with no way for users to provide detailed permissions on such commercialisation, or be rewarded for this. Personal data is at risk of being exposed through data breaches due to centralised storage. LYNX is building the ability to combine data from multiple wearables (including traditional trackers; biosensors; and neurotech) to give users advanced insights into individual health, wellbeing and performance. Data privacy and ownership of data will be enabled through the use of decentralised technologies. Our team of engineers, scientists, and ethicists are building a future where all human wearable data will be owned and governed by individual users; and unbound from centralised silos. **Our North Star** 1. Users can gain cutting-edge mind-body insights through the holistic analysis of data from multiple devices. 2. Users can choose from a personalised marketplace of third parties to interact with (including specialist AI providers) for amplified insights, participation in scientific research, and tokenised rewards. 3. No third party will ever see or own your identifiable biometric wearable data again. Create and own your digital clone with LYNX. # Team ### **Alexandra McCarroll** Co-founder | Software & Data Engineer | [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-mccarroll-469108133/) | [Github](https://github.com/XandraMcC) ### **Sarah Hamburg** Co-founder | Cognitive Neuroscience (EEG) PhD | [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-hamburg-phd-9510a910a/) | [ResearchGate](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sarah-Hamburg) # Contribute ## Contact Us {% embed url="" %} ## Join Our Community Join our Neuroverse [Telegram](https://t.me/joinchat/xus4G5IckXk0ZjE0) chat # FAQs ### Q. How is LYNX different to existing solutions (i.e. Apple Health or Google Health)? The key differences are that no centralised "[Web2](/further-information/glossary#web2-vs-web3)" platform (e.g. Google, Apple) will see, own or sell your raw data - only you can do all these things. The second key difference is data from multiple devices can be streamed all to your personal data wallet, allowing algorithms to analyse this data holistically. Algorithms are also no longer proprietary - meaning anyone (students, entrepreneurs, communities, start-ups) can develop solutions for your wearables. This means as a user, you can shop around for different solutions meaning you are no longer tied to using the software of your chosen hardware provider. ### Q. Will the 'community' own my biometric data/amalgam of brain data and not me? No, you will own your biometric data. The raw data will only be able to be read and accessed by you. However, the big data metrics (which may contain your data) will be visible to those who are permissioned to analyse your data. This analysis will be scrubbed of all personal identifying metrics such as name, location, age, IP address, cookie identifiers etc. # Technical FAQs ### Q. How is this solution using blockchain / distributed ledger technologies (DLT)? Blockchain and distributed ledger technology enables the construction of a secure and privacy-preserving data infrastructure. Our solution provides personal data security and privacy using the basics of blockchain - [public key cryptography](/further-information/glossary#public-key-cryptography) - whilst enabling the data to be analysed - using [compute-to-data](/further-information/glossary#compute-to-data-c2d) - and therefore useful to the user. ![](/files/coyvoiO0TFD4d8hDwiuS) ### **Q. Where will the analysis happen?** A compute-to-data model provides a means to exchange data while preserving data privacy by allowing data consumers to run compute jobs on the data (which can be stored on local servers, on existing cloud providers, or on a decentralised file system such as [IPFS](https://ipfs.io/)) to train AI models. Rather than having the data sent to where the algorithm runs, the algorithm runs where the data is. ### **Q. How do users maintain data ownership?** In traditional IT environments, personal data is stored and managed by organisations in such a way that individuals have no ability to control it. However, using distributed ledger technologies (such as blockchain), users own their data and this is referenced by a [data token](/further-information/glossary#data-tokens), which can only be accessed by the owner's [private keys](/further-information/glossary#cryptographic-keys). ### **Q. Are blockchain technologies bad for the environment?** The [consensus mechanism](/further-information/glossary#consensus-mechanism) used in blockchain is more energy-intensive than current centralised data storage solutions. The proof-of-work mechanism (used to verify each Bitcoin transaction) is the most energy-intensive consensus mechanism as miners compete against each other with computing power to mine a block. Other consensus mechanisms exist, for example, proof-of-stake or proof-of-authority, which use a fraction of this energy (\~99.95% less). Instead of all nodes competing to mine each block, a miner (or group of miners) are chosen at random to resolve each block. Ethereum is moving towards a proof-of-stake mechanism, whilst Layer 2 solutions such as [Polygon](https://polygon.technology/) are already using proof-of-stake. Furthermore, other technologies such as the IOTA’s Tangle, a directed acyclic graph, ensure every participant is contributing to the validation process of the transactions, so that *consensus* is reached without the need for dedicated miners. Since this validation does not require any heavy computations, the network can be maintained by relatively small devices, with limited power and calculation capacity. # Glossary ### **Basic Attention Token (BAT)** BAT is **a blockchain-based system for tracking media consumers' time and attention on websites** using the Brave web browser. Built on Ethereum, its goal is to efficiently distribute advertising money between advertisers, publishers, and readers of online marketing content and ads. ### **Biohacking** There is no official definition of biohacking as it is a very broad concept. It ranges from people that drink certain foods in order to improve their health or performance, or people that have chips implanted in their body, to people that use at-home DNA analysis kits. Biohackers often associate themselves with biopunk, transhumanism or techno-progressivism. Most biohackers are focused on improving their physical or mental performance and general wellbeing. ### **Biosensor** A biosensor is a device that measures biological or chemical reactions by generating signals proportional to the concentration of an analyte in the reaction. ### **Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs)** A brain-computer interface is a computer-based system that acquires brain signals, analyses them, and translates them into commands that are relayed to an output device to carry out a desired action. BCIs can be used as an assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative technology to monitor brain activity and translate specific signal features that reflect a person's intent into commands that operate any device. ### **Compute-To-Data (C2D)** Compute-to-data provides a model of exchanging data while preserving data privacy by allowing data consumers to run compute jobs on the data (which can be stored on local servers, on existing cloud providers, or on a decentralised file system such as [**IPFS**](#ipfs)) to train AI models. Rather than having the data sent to where the algorithm runs, the algorithm runs where the data is. This removes the need to consider the current tradeoffs between sharing data and protecting data. ### **Consensus mechanism** Consensus mechanisms (also known as consensus protocols or consensus algorithms) allow distributed systems (networks of computers) to work together and stay secure. For decades, these mechanisms have been used to establish consensus among database nodes, application servers, and other enterprise infrastructure. In recent years, new consensus mechanisms have been invented to allow crypto-economic systems to agree on the state of the network. A consensus mechanism in a crypto-economic system also helps prevent certain kinds of economic attacks. In theory, an attacker can compromise consensus by controlling 51% of the network. Consensus mechanisms are designed to make this "51% attack" unfeasible. Different mechanisms are engineered to solve this security problem in different ways. ### **Data obfuscation** Data masking or data obfuscation is the process of modifying sensitive data in such a way that it is of no or little value to unauthorised intruders while still being usable by software or authorised personnel. ### Data tokens Data tokens wrap data services in fungible crypto tokens (e.g. [Ocean Protocol](https://oceanprotocol.com/) uses Ethereum's industry-standard ERC20 tokens). This enables data wallets, data exchanges, and data co-ops by leveraging crypto wallets, exchanges, and other decentralized finance (DeFi) tools. ### Digital twin A digital twin is a virtual representation that serves as the real-time digital counterpart of a physical object or process. We would like to extend this definition to include human digital twin's. ![](/files/HBMw2zuPzpSuKc0FtzKA) ### Electroencephalography (EEG) Electroencephalography (EEG) is a method to record an electrogram (an electrical recording of an organ such as the brain and heart) of the electrical activity on the [scalp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scalp) that has been shown to represent the macroscopic activity of the surface layer of the [brain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain) underneath. It is typically non-invasive, with the [electrodes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrode) placed along the [scalp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scalp). [Electrocorticography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrocorticography), involving invasive electrodes, is sometimes called intracranial EEG. ### Human-Computer Interaction Human-computer interaction (HCI) focuses on the design of computer technology and, in particular, the interaction between humans (the users) and computers. While initially concerned with computers, HCI has since expanded to cover almost all forms of information technology design. ### Proprietary algorithms Proprietary algorithms that solve specific problems that translate into actions are the secret sauce of successful organizations in the future. ### Public key cryptography Public-key cryptography, or asymmetric cryptography, is a cryptographic system that uses pairs of keys. Each pair consists of a *public key* (which may be known to others) and a *private key* (which may not be known by anyone except the owner). The generation of such key pairs depends on cryptographic algorithms which are based on mathematical problems termed one-way functions. Effective security requires keeping the private key private; the public key can be openly distributed without compromising security. {% embed url="" %} ### Tokenised rewards Tokenised rewards issued on the blockchain can be transferable, tradable and composable. Unlike their ancestors, specific tokens for different types of users can be issued. Using tokenised rewards makes it easier for the user to receive a reward compared to regular centralised solutions. ### Wearable devices Wearable devices are products controlled by electronic components and software that can be incorporated into clothing or worn on the body like accessories. ### Web3 ![](/files/ESwOCBDpNet2ThGDvzec) ### Web3 marketplaces The core principle of web3 marketplaces is that instead of being investor-owned and governed (web2), they are user-owned and governed. Web2 platforms are often associated with ‘winner-takes-all’ dynamics where a single firm concentrates market value and capture. The shared ownership of market infrastructure in Web3 combined with minimal extraction during market governance by the protocol (minimally extractive protocols) leads to a ‘winners-share-all’ dynamic. Read this interesting [blog](https://medium.com/@bosonprotocol/unbundling-the-unbundlers-how-web3-unbundles-marketplaces-cfdc54b502d6) for some more insights on how web3 unbundles marketplaces. ### Zero-sum game Zero-sum is a situation in game theory in which one person's gain is equivalent to another's loss, so the net change in wealth or benefit is zero. In terms of how this relates to centralised platforms, this relates to the predictable life cycle in terms of these platforms' relationships with network participants - at first, they do everything they can to recruit users and third-party contributors like creators, developers, and businesses. This strengthens their network effect. As platforms move up the adoption curve, their power over users and third parties steadily grows. When they hit the top of the curve, their relationships with network participants change from **positive-sum** to **zero-sum**. To continue growing requires extracting data from users and competing with (former) partners. Read this [blog](https://future.a16z.com/why-web3-matters/) which discusses this in more detail. # User Research ## Results from 'Lite' Paper v2 survey *28/01/2022* ![](/files/cN8c3EUQOTirMfgbhQmM) ![](/files/vnfSd5h83HjjkajAOiAk) ![](/files/05duvQTg11X3ry1Uru1r) ![](/files/PcagfbNE32rBDPHRHKAA) ![](/files/wqnB76ql5eMUBDDoWo3y) ![](/files/w6hAxdzXuco5ZnB3OSHQ) # Further Reading > We demonstrate a low-cost battery-free rapidly deployable and disposable patch for electrophysiological monitoring. This was performed by printing a stretchable AgInGa circuit over a temporary tattoo paper that is then transferred to a volunteer’s chest. The disposable patch BOM cost is less than 1$US, and can be rapidly customized with the presented printing technique. We showed that the electrodes printed with this method provide low skin-electrode impedance and excellent signal to noise ratio. The patch is then interfaced with a battery-free circuit for data acquisition, processing and communication via Bluetooth (Alberto et al., 2020). Alberto, J., Leal, C., Fernandes, C. *et al.* (2020). Fully Untethered Battery-free Biomonitoring Electronic Tattoo with Wireless Energy Harvesting. *Sci Rep* *10*\*\*,\*\* 5539. > Historically this has been a large and bulky technology, restricted to the monitoring of subjects in a lab or clinic while they are stationary. Over the last decade much research effort has been put into the creation of “wearable EEG” which overcomes these limitations and allows the long term non-invasive recording of brain signals while people are out of the lab and moving about. Casson A. J. (2019). Wearable EEG and beyond. *Biomedical engineering letters*, *9*(1), 53–71. > Researchers at Graz University of Technology in Styria, Austria have come up with a more subtle, user-friendly device for measuring brain activity: wafer-thin "tattoo" electrodes that are barely detectable on the skin (Linder, 2020). Linder, C. (2020). Electrode Tattoo Can Record Your Brain Waves, Make You Feel Like a Cyborg. Popular Mechanics \[online]. Available at: # Historic Links You can access historic versions of our 'lite' paper here: ### Version 1 {% embed url="" %} ### Version 2 {% embed url="" %}