NewsGoodBrother: not every brother is big
Ente: COST - Open Call for Actions
Paese: EU
Descrizione
GoodBrother: not every brother is big 17/09/2026 On World Patient Safety Day, 17 September, we often think about preventing medical errors, infections or other risks in healthcare. But for older people living independently, safety can also mean knowing that help will arrive when something goes wrong, without giving up privacy, dignity or control. This is where smart technology could make a difference. But it also raises an uncomfortable question: how much monitoring is too much? The COST Action GoodBrother explored how cameras, microphones and artificial intelligence could support older people while respecting their fundamental right to privacy. Cameras, care and a simple question: who is watching whom? Imagine living alone in your eighties. A small camera could detect if you fall. A microphone could recognise signs of trouble and alert a carer. Smart technologies like these have enormous potential to help older people to live independently for longer. But there is a problem. As soon as cameras and microphones enter the home, many people start to worry. Who can access the recordings? Who owns the data? Could helpful technology start to feel more like surveillance? These were the questions addressed by the COST Action Network on Privacy-Aware Audio- and Video-Based Applications for Active and Assisted Living (GoodBrother). This European network brought together engineers, lawyers, healthcare professionals, ethicists, social scientists, industry representatives, and end users. The network aimed to answer a difficult question: In what ways can powerful monitoring technologies be used to support people while still respecting their right to privacy? As Action Chair Dr Francisco Florez-Revuelta from the University of Alicante explains: “The real question was not simply: ‘Can we use cameras and microphones for assisted living?’ Technically, we know they can be useful. The real question was: ‘How can we design and use audio- and video-based technologies in private spaces in a way that provides valuable care services while protecting privacy, dignity, and autonomy?’” From Big Brother to GoodBrother When the Action started, many assisted-living technologies relied on relatively simple devices, such as alarm buttons, door sensors and motion detectors. They are useful but limited. “A door sensor may tell us that a door has opened,” says Francisco Florez-Revuelta, “but it does not always explain what has actually happened. It may not show whether a person has fallen, is confused, needs help or is simply carrying out a normal daily activity.” However, new advances in computer vision, audio analysis and artificial intelligence offer a solution. Cameras and microphones can detect falls, recognise activities and identify emergencies, helping caregivers to respond more quickly. But these technologies also raise concerns. “Having a camera or microphone in your home can feel like surveillance,” notes the Chair. “People may worry about who can see or hear them, where the data goes, and whether recordings could be accessed or used without consent.” The perception was to be challenged by GoodBrother. The project’s name reflected its mission: to move beyond the fear of a ‘Big Brother’ society and show that technology can be designed to be helpful and respectful. Dr Francisco Florez-Revuelta Chair of GoodBrother “GoodBrother has demonstrated that these technologies can support independent living and improve the quality of life for older adults, while also addressing privacy concerns.” Privacy first, technology second One of GoodBrother’s most important contributions was changing the way privacy is considered. Too often, ethical and legal questions are discussed after a technology has already been built. GoodBrother turned that process upside down. “GoodBrother brought ethical, legal and privacy issues into the design of Active Assisted Living (AAL) technologies by making them part of the technical work from the beginning, rather than treating them as an afterthought,” says Francisco. The Action created a unique multidisciplinary forum where specialists who rarely work together could share perspectives and learn from each other. Lawyers discussed consent and data protection. Ethicists examined dignity and autonomy. Engineers developed privacy-preserving technical solutions. Healthcare professionals focused on users’ needs. The result, as Dr Florez-Revuelta describes it, was a ‘pipeline connecting values, methods and applications’. The network produced practical resources that continue to guide researchers, developers, and policymakers to this day. These include: The Trustworthy AAL Design Cards provided step-by-step advice for creating privacy-compliant solutions. The 50 Questions on Active Assisted Living Technologies booklet, which explains the benefits, risks, and privacy implications of these technologies in an accessible way. The publication has already been translated into several European languages. A major position paper on
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