09/11/24
For years, I've been pondering the implications of surveillance, sparked initially by a CCTV camera positioned outside my apartment. This camera, discreetly placed and angled, recorded the comings and goings of my neighbors and me for over a decade under the guise of security. This constant surveillance bred a deep-seated paranoia, which only intensified as I grew older, affecting my interactions and daily life.
This paranoia was further compounded by multiple inpatient psychiatric admissions between late 2018 and mid-2023 across various locations. During these times, I was treated with a cocktail of antipsychotics, experiencing side effects like weight gain and a zombie-like state. Throughout this period, the omnipresent "mainstream noise" from the media and the constant need to maintain employment added to my stress.
However, my experiences also heightened my awareness of privacy breaches, particularly in digital spaces like Xbox Party Chat or Activision's game chat in Call of Duty. The notion that our conversations might be monitored and stored by "analysts" isn't far-fetched; we are, after all, generating data constantly. This data could potentially be used against us in various contexts, including personal growth or legal matters.
This realization led me to consider the need for stringent privacy protections in gaming, akin to HIPAA regulations in healthcare.
Here are steps to potentially mirror HIPAA in the gaming industry:
1. Identify PHI: Define what constitutes Protected Health Information in gaming contexts.
2. Legal Consultation: Engage with healthcare law specialists to understand the legal framework.
3. Business Associate Agreements (BAAs): Establish agreements for handling PHI.
4. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)**: Draft an MOU outlining privacy stipulations.
5. Secure Platforms: Develop or use communication tools compliant with privacy laws.
6. Audit and Compliance: Regularly audit for privacy compliance.
7. Government Regulations: Advocate for or adapt existing data protection laws.
8. Publisher Policies: Modify privacy policies to align with HIPAA standards.
9. Transparency: Clearly communicate privacy policies to users.
10. Education: Educate gamers on the importance of privacy.
11. Advocacy: Push for comprehensive privacy legislation.
12. Pilot Programs: Test these measures in controlled settings.
13. Partnerships: Collaborate with existing PHI software platforms to enhance privacy through satellite technology and data centers.
Conclusion:
This article serves as a call to action and a foundation for our initiative at Interstellar Technologies. We aim to address the critical issue of privacy in an increasingly monitored world, especially as we move towards a multi-planetary future. Thank you for considering this vision, which stems from personal experiences and a deep concern for the future of privacy. Let's work together to safeguard our digital conversations and protect the essence of human interaction in the digital age.
Anthony John Pacheco / @InterstellarG0
Chairman / Content Creator
Interstellar Technologies Initiative, LLC