Contact Tracing and the Future of Technology Governance

Apple, Google, and any private app developer must be held accountable as well. While they stress privacy, large tech corporations like Google and Apple have histories of skirting regulation in order to protect their business models — lobbying at the national and state level, as well as funding certain campaigns and antigovernment groups. These companies are often referred to as “surveillance capitalists” who leverage their wealth of user data to turn over profits. [10]

Hence, just like we cannot have a surveillance state, we cannot afford corporate encroachments on privacy. Ideally, the code should be open-source. Data should be audited by the CDC or Department of Health and made available to the public on an anonymized, aggregate level. [11] Data collection and tracing must be completely terminated in all forms after the crisis ends. Individuals should also have the freedom to turn off the apps, particularly if they are engaging in sensitive activities like visiting the doctor. [12] While Apple and Google assure that they will stop tracking after the pandemic ends, their second phase entails building the tracing into their operating systems, which would further embed contact tracing into smartphone technology. [13]

We need a large enough user base.

Secondly, in order for this project to actually work, users need to be incentivized to download the apps. As an example, for Singapore’s TraceTogether to be effective, the government has deemed that at least ¾ of residents must download the app. As of recently, TraceTogether has only accrued 1.4 million users, out of the city-state’s 5.7 million residents, because citizens were worried about how the data was being handled by the government. [14, 15]

Deploying a similar technology in the US will likely face similar issues, especially since Americans are protective of their personal data and wary of the government and large corporations. [16] In a recent poll by the Washington Post and University of Maryland, only 41% of Americans said they would use the Apple/Google platform. [17] These numbers are not promising. Hence, communication and transparency are key. After taking steps to ensure user privacy, government leaders must clearly communicate to the public why users should download the app, what the potential risks are, and what will be done to alleviate them. People should not be forced to use contact tracing apps, but they should feel motivated and comfortable doing so.

Technology should not be the only solution.

And lastly, this is only part of the broader solution. Digital contact tracing should not replace traditional contact tracing, which provides more detail and depth through in-person interviews. Instead, it should supplement a robust taskforce of human contact tracers. Moreover, for any contact tracing system to work, there needs to be accurate and accessible testing, which is severely lacking in the US. Testing should be available to anyone who needs it and not behind a wall of forms, processes, and requirements. Once someone tests positive, they must then be informed on exactly what to do and have the resources to do so. The same goes for people who have been in close proximity and are alerted by the app.

One important consideration is that the success of digital contact tracing hinges on users owning smartphones. According to the same poll, 18% of Americans do not own a smartphone. This group includes disproportionately more people who are more susceptible to the physical and financial effects of COVID-19, like seniors and low-income individuals. [18] Not addressing this disparity could further permeate existing socioeconomic divides. A white paper from the Harvard Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics shows the potential of producing dedicated, Bluetooth-only devices at only $10 each, which could significantly increase use of the platform. [19]

Parting thoughts… 

Currently, there is no mention of digital contact tracing in the official White House guidelines. Hence, it is necessary for the government to step up in all areas for contact tracing of its COVID-19 response or any form to be effective.

This, of course, is no easy task. But if there’s anyone in a position to do so, it should be our government leaders. Digital contact tracing has the potential to stamp down the virus, but only if it is developed and managed responsibly. While we should not rely solely on technology (policy, research, and individual common sense are essential) to solve our problems, technologies built today will undoubtedly change the way public health is managed in the future. There are serious concerns that we need to address, but this should also be seen as an opportunity to establish a responsible framework for technology governance. 

It’s easy for privacy and equality to take a backseat in times of crisis. To be honest, there are many ways that contact tracing could go wrong. Hence, proper management, regulation, accountability, and strong communication are key. To do so, we need a government who is unafraid to hold corporations accountable, build privacy and equality into its apps, enact strong policies to protect its users, and take steps to rebuild our shattered public trust. Instead of hastily sending people back to work, leaders at every level should be taking the time to completely understand and assess the implications of emerging technologies, because they will affect us in more ways than we know.