According to the originator of the policy and legal term, PILOT lab Founder Prof. Andrea Matwyshyn, the Internet of Bodies or "IoB" refers to the use of the human body as a technology platform (and its policy and legal implications).

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As explained by Prof. Matwyshyn, IoB involves three types/ generations of technologies:

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1. Body external IoB - Devices such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, mobile phones with location tracking or body sensing capabilities, sleep apnea CPAP devices, (software reliant) blood pressure cuffs, wearable/fully removable brain-computer interfaces and other devices that rely on software but do not break the skin;

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2. Body internal/embedded IoB - Devices such as AI-enhanced retinal implants, digital pills, pacemakers, cochlear implants, artificial pancreases/glucose monitors that pierce the skin, injected chips for cryptocurrency wallets or other security access, and other similar technologies that break the skin; and

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3. Body melded IoB - Devices permanently or semi-permanently embedded in the brain that intend to extend the capacity or capability of the brain in communicating, relying on software and/or the internet as a portion of their functionality. 

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Prof. Matwyshyn sees both possible benefits and serious risks (safety, privacy, and others) from these technologies. She believes the technology and business specifics matter, as does the context of use. She also believes legal reforms are needed to keep people safe and to prevent fraud that hurts patients/users, doctors, and trustworthy sellers.

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To learn more:

• watch Prof. Matwyshyn's talk at the Atlantic Council (2017)

• read her Wall Street Journal article (2018)

• ​watch Prof. Matwyshyn's talk at University of Edinburgh (2018)

• read her law review article, The Internet of Bodies (2019)

• listen to her law review article, The Internet of Bodies (2019)

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Prof. Matwyshyn has extended her IoB framework to include her concerns over IoB AI data quality and related issues in her law review article Exploit Machina (forthcoming 2026 in UC Davis L. Rev.). She has also discussed fraud risks in IoB "afterlife" technologies markets in particular in her article The Internet of Latour's Things (forthcoming 2026 in UPenn Law's J.L.& Innovation). 

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