Chinese military ‘could use Jannik Sinner’s brain data for military projects’

Tennis star Jannik Sinner’s brain data could be used in future Chinese military projects, it has been claimed

China could potentially exploit brainwave data from the likes of tennis icon Jannik Sinner for military applications, according to claims.

The allegation claims that the Chinese military could, in theory, use this intel to train a battalion of super soldiers. Hunterbrook Media and journalist Pablo Torre have conducted an investigation into electronic headbands from BrainCo, known as FocusCalm.

These devices are worn by top-tier athletes to sharpen focus, enhance mental performance and gauge relaxation levels.

The headband functions like headphones, recording brain waves. BrainCo have claimed that information data is deleted after each use, according to Spanish newspaper 20minutos.

The technology has been used by four-time Grand Slam victor Sinner and Wimbledon champ Iga Swiatek. F1 star Charles Leclerc, members of Italy’s Olympic teams and even several anonymous Manchester City players are also thought to have used the tech.

FocusCalm’s parent company, BrainCo, which was established at Harvard before relocating to China, develops the headbands.

The probe alleges that the firm has received financial backing from groups linked to the Chinese government and advanced robotics companies with military connections, reports the Express.

These allegations have ignited concerns that data harvested from elite athletes could be harnessed to produce soldiers with the mental sharpness of the world’s top sports stars. BrainCo has stated that the information is erased after each use.

However, its privacy policy does suggest that user data is stored.

Reports have suggested that the data harvested from these headbands could potentially be analysed to examine how troops might boost their focus under duress, sharpen their response times, or strengthen their psychological fortitude during high-stakes military operations.

The controversial headbands were brought in by Dr Riccardo Ceccarelli, who acknowledged that this information was being stored in cloud systems.

This revelation sparked concerns and anxieties about which parties might gain access to such delicate data. Back in 2019 it emerged that the collected information amounted to a “massive amount” of brain recordings.

Yet elite athletes weren’t the sole focus, with university students also being utilised in the research. Sinner’s representatives have reportedly declined to provide any statement regarding the issue.