Request
We are seeking information concerning government-funded or government-supported research into emerging technologies, particularly technologies that may have implications for human health, privacy, cognition, neurological function, civil liberties, or personal autonomy.
Technological development is advancing rapidly across areas including artificial intelligence, neuroscience, electromagnetic systems, directed-energy technologies, human-machine interfaces, and other emerging fields. Some research in these areas may be conducted for defence, security, medical, scientific, or other legitimate purposes.
The purpose of this request is not to allege unlawful activity or to suggest that any particular technology is currently being used against members of the public.
However, there is considerable public discussion about alleged or hypothetical technologies sometimes described using terms such as "psycho-electric weapons," "electromagnetic weapons," or technologies capable of influencing neurological or cognitive functions. We recognise that some of these claims may be speculative or unsupported by credible evidence.
We are therefore seeking factual information about what research, oversight, safeguards, and accountability mechanisms exist within government.
Information requested
Please provide the following information, insofar as it is held by your department or public authority:
1. Research and funding
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Details of government-funded, commissioned, sponsored, or otherwise supported research conducted within the requested period concerning directed-energy technologies, electromagnetic technologies, neurotechnology, brain-computer interfaces, neurological stimulation, cognitive technologies, or related emerging technologies.
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Where applicable, please provide the name or description of the research programme, the responsible organisation, the purpose of the research, and the approximate level of government funding.
2. Potential effects on people
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Information concerning research or assessments examining whether electromagnetic, directed-energy, neurological, neurotechnological, or related systems could affect human health, neurological function, cognition, behaviour, perception, or other aspects of human functioning.
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Please include publicly releasable risk assessments, ethical assessments, or safety evaluations where available.
3. Legal and ethical safeguards
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Details of the legislation, regulations, policies, ethical frameworks, or departmental procedures governing research or development in these areas where there is potential impact on individuals.
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Details of any requirements for informed consent, independent ethical review, human-subject protections, or other safeguards, where applicable.
4. Independent oversight
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Information identifying the bodies, committees, regulators, inspectors, or independent organisations responsible for overseeing relevant research and ensuring compliance with applicable legal, ethical, and human-rights standards.
5. Complaints and investigations
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The number of complaints, investigations, reviews, or formal inquiries received or conducted by the department concerning alleged misuse of emerging technologies covered by this request.
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Where disclosure is legally possible, please provide the nature and outcome of such investigations without disclosing personal information or classified information.
6. Transparency and public accountability
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Information about existing procedures for informing Parliament, relevant oversight bodies, or the public about government research into emerging technologies that may have significant implications for privacy, cognition, neurological function, health, or civil liberties.
7. Classification and exemptions
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Where requested information is withheld on national-security, defence, commercial-confidentiality, personal-data, or other grounds, please identify the relevant FOI exemption(s) being relied upon and provide any reasonably segregable non-exempt information.
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Where possible, please provide a general description of the category of information being withheld.
Response
Under Section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act, we have established that this information is not held. This is because Dover District Council has had no involvement in any government-funded or government-supported research into emerging technologies.