Counterpoint. Are We Sure That All These Data Are Good for Us?

This paper focuses the relationship between data technologies, meaning the set of tools and devices of different nature, and the transformation of reality into data, from their collection to their use. We confine our reflection to the use of data related to the body and the ability to establish its state of health or illness. A critical stance is adopted, reflecting on the impact that data have - and may have - on biological, legal, cultural, and social bodies. It aims to highlight problems and potential side effects, emphasising the need to create ‘connections’ between the individual device and the large technical system; between the personal data and the system of collected data; between the present and the future scenarios towards which it is desirable to orient design. The paper aims to open up questions on the relationship between us and the knowledge of our body, beyond the promises of idyllic worlds presented by data technologies. And what role can Design play in this context?