A Harvard-founded neurotechnology company may have been collecting brain activity data from elite athletes and esports professionals, potentially sharing this sensitive information with the Chinese government for military applications, according to a new investigative report.
BrainCo, established at Harvard University in 2015, has received substantial funding from Chinese government sources and scientists to advance its research into brain-training technologies. The company’s primary product, the FocusCalm EEG headband, claims to enhance concentration by monitoring and analyzing users’ brainwave patterns.
The investigation, conducted by Pablo Torre Finds Out and Hunterbrook, reveals that high-profile athletes across multiple sports have used these devices. Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc, tennis stars Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, skiing champion Mikaela Shiffrin, members of the US and Italian Olympic teams, and players from Manchester City football club are among those reportedly utilizing the technology.
The esports world has also embraced BrainCo‘s offerings. Minnesota Rokkr has been identified as a partner organization, while former Immortals League of Legends coach Robert Yip has provided testimonials supporting the device’s effectiveness in improving performance.
Under China’s updated national security legislation, domestic companies must share their collected data with the Chinese Communist Party. According to the investigation, BrainCo has been transmitting this neural information
“every half second”
to Chinese authorities.
The implications extend beyond sports performance enhancement.
“The Chinese government has made no secret of its ambitions for other applications, including military ones”
,
the Hunterbrook report states.
“State media discusses ‘super soldiers’ with neural enhancements. The People’s Liberation Army has hosted national BCI competitions, and its medical research arm has partnered with private companies to develop BCI products for memory and attention training for soldiers”
.
This development has raised significant concerns among US lawmakers, who have previously warned about the potential misuse of neural data by Chinese entities. Senators have specifically highlighted the risk of Chinese companies developing what they term
“purported brain-control weaponry”
.
The brain-computer interface technology at the center of this controversy represents a rapidly advancing field with applications spanning from medical rehabilitation to cognitive enhancement. However, the dual-use nature of such technology means innovations designed for athletic performance could potentially be adapted for military purposes.
Minnesota Rokkr‘s Brian ‘Saintt’ Baroska and coach Robert Yip have both provided positive testimonials regarding the FocusCalm device, citing improved performance outcomes. However, none of the athletes mentioned in the investigation have responded to requests for comment about their involvement with the technology.
The revelations come at a time when technological competition between the United States and China has intensified across multiple sectors, from semiconductors to artificial intelligence. The potential military applications of neurotechnology add another dimension to these ongoing tensions, particularly as both nations seek to maintain strategic advantages in emerging technologies.