WASHINGTON - In an effort to curtail the spread of COVID-19, Apple and Google are building massive coronavirus tracking apps. These apps allow governments to disclose infections to the public and pitch the idea of "immunity passports."
Despite the apps' utility regarding public health, major privacy risks have arisen. The information that the apps' are predicated on set back emerging safeguards regarding digital medical data. There are five major ways that the coronavirus is changing how people are being watched:
1. Contact tracing. On the apps developed by Apple and Google, individuals would be able to designate themselves as "infected." Bluetooth would alert others who are in range of catching the disease.
2. Tracking mobility. "Apple, Facebook and Google are also sharing troves of data with public health authorities to show whether people are staying near home or moving between two points, to help gauge the effectiveness of social distancing and other public health strategies." The article states, "The data culled from the cell phone location data is aggregated and stripped of personal identifiers, though privacy experts warn it still could be matched to individuals."
3. Public disclosures. "Authorities worldwide are releasing more information when a coronavirus case is confirmed and where the person got infected. In theory, the disclosures to the public or to employers increase transparency about how the disease is spreading. However, the information could lead to harassment and stigmatization."
4. Immunity passports. Public health officials have considered the idea of releasing immunity passports that certify that someone has caught the disease and has since recovered, allowing that individual to move more freely. However, "experts say publicly outing patients could lead to cases of mistaken identity."
5. Digital quarantine - "apps or wearable gadgets that allow authorities to see if infected patients are leaving their homes and putting others at risk." However, Omada's Savage has stated that quarantines still require due process.
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