[rezmason]

As much as I like regaining autonomy, we should hold back those tears until a patient's implant outlasts a product cycle. I can't find the article to link to, but there's an ongoing issue with tech companies producing assistive devices or prosthetics and obsoleting them when the company pivots, gets bought or goes under.

Corporate cyborg parts are an already-predicted nightmare, already taking place, unfolding in slow motion, and soon it will breach the sanctity of human thought.

[blacksmith_tb]

I think that would be these eye implants[1].

1: https://spectrum.ieee.org/bionic-eye-obsolete

[llm_trw]

The simple solution is that all such devices must be submitted to a central government database and all blue prints, source code etc. will be released into the public domain is the company no longer supports the device or closes down.

[ta988]

This is indeed the solution for every industry. The main issue is that really often companies get bought with assets by another company that just let them rot. So you would need a provision that in case of non maintenance it should be released. But then they would fight you in court because they use specific code or design in a newer device and that would release it to the public... So while it would be the perfect solution for the patients I doubt our society is really organized to represent their rights and needs (and we see that with insurance as well)

[kvdveer]

I'm pretty confident that anything involving a central government database won't really fly under the current political climate. Definitely not in the US, but many other countries are bowing to US pressure to limit regulation.

[_DeadFred_]

The founder of this company is actively shutting down government databases, not looking to add more.

Edit: And definitely don't suggest adding a government SQL database or you will trigger him. The government doesn't use SQL.

[javcasas]

We don't want to be political here.

So, what do we do first? Propose a political solution.

We all know how this is going to end, there have been more than enough cyberpunk videogames and novels for us all to read.

[llm_trw]

All regulations are political. I'm not sure what you think the issue here is.

[some_random]

Sure but that's a much more solvable problem!