What if your child already has a data profile, before they are even born? In a recent episode of Eye on AI, host Craig Smith speaks with Eamonn Maguire, Director of Engineering for AI and ML at Proton, about the alarming reality of digital footprints starting in the womb.
Maguire explains that from the moment parents share sonogram images or hospital records online, data aggregators begin building a profile for the unborn child. This profile can include predicted health risks, socioeconomic status, and future purchasing habits—all assembled before the child takes their first breath.
"Big tech companies are already collecting data about your child before they're born," Maguire warns. "And once that data is out there, it's nearly impossible to erase."
The episode dives into how mainstream AI platforms harvest personal information from seemingly innocuous sources—like pregnancy apps, social media posts, and even hospital registration forms. This data is then used to train large language models and targeted advertising algorithms, often without explicit consent.
Maguire, who previously worked at CERN and Facebook, traces his journey into privacy-focused technology and how Proton—the company behind ProtonMail—is now applying the same encryption principles to AI. He introduces "Lumo," Proton's encrypted memory system designed to ensure zero data leakage when using AI assistants.
A key segment covers the concept of "born private"—reserving a private email address for a child at birth. This proactive step gives parents control over their child's digital identity from day one, preventing companies from claiming the child's data first.
Maguire also distinguishes between truly open AI models and "open washing," where companies claim transparency but still hoard user data. He argues that genuine privacy requires both open-source code and verifiable data handling.
"We can't trust big labs to be good stewards of our children's data," Maguire says. "The only solution is to encrypt everything at the source."
For parents concerned about their children's digital futures, the episode offers practical advice: use privacy-focused services, limit exposure of baby photos online, and start protecting your child's data even before they arrive.