21 Questions: Coronavirus Tracing System

*The goal of my “21 Questions” series is to spark constructive and creative thought. It is meant to get you to think about issues that are at play on any given topic, and to address things you might not have known were potential issues. I encourage you to ask your own questions… and to see if the answers to any of these questions lead to deeper ones. Enjoy.

For years, watchdog organizations have sounded warning bells about the amount of data that tech companies collect, and how they use it. Tech giants Google and Apple recently announced that they are working together to create a coronavirus tracking system. A system of this kind has the potential to offer some very real benefits to the public health mission, but it also has the potential create some very real conflicts regarding privacy, civil liberties, and civil rights.

After reading up a bit on the topic, these are my 21 questions (in no particular order). I tried to group some together that seemed to fit… and I also had to pare them down considerably.

Will a system of this type originate and remain voluntary?

If people are forced to download, install, and use an app like this, how will they respond?

What is preventing them from obtaining a different phone, or just leaving their phone at home?

Can people be forced to carry their phones?

What if technological limitations result in false positive contacts?

What if those false positives result in a chain of other false positive contacts?

Would this create a false perception that you came in contact with someone who tested positive when your actual risk based on proximity is very low or impossible?

Would this perception cause a new wave of panic and drive people back indoors unnecessarily?

How would the app know if I wear PPE and take other precautions to increase my personal safety?

Could our anonymized data reveal sensitive details about us?

If anonymized data is combined with other information, could our identity be easily discerned?

Would this data be stored on the individual’s device or in a centralized repository?

If the system is based on Bluetooth technology, can’t it just be turned off?

If it is turned off, do our phones still capture data in the background for later use?

What if this data is used to restrict fundamental rights?

What is this data is used to restrict our ability to work? To attend school?

What if this tech is not turned off for weeks? Months? Years?

What if Watchdog organizations were raising red flags about this approach?

What if the people were so gripped by fear that they didn’t pay attention to the watchdog organizations?

Would there be full transparency as to what information is being collected and by whom?

Would this data be used for any type of advertising? Punitive purposes? Law enforcement purposes?

You likely have your own questions surrounding this topic, and I encourage you to share your thoughts and concerns with whomever you can in order to keep the discussion moving forward. I am sure that even more questions will arise as this project gets further into the development and rollout phases, so be on the lookout for Part 2 on this topic.

Be safe out there, Salem!