Think Carefully About Any COVID-19 Tracing App

Below is an article from anti-surverillance group OASIS on the upcoming tracing app(s):





The fear of COVID-19 is viral. That play on our fear means
that we may be rushing to introduce surveillance apps that we will later
regret.






As one of the tools to fight COVID-19 the NZ government has
promised that there will be a contact tracing app available by mid-May.
The first iteration they have said, will be in the form of an on-line
sign-up form, and could be out by 11th May.





But there has been minimal discussion about the pros and cons of
COVID-19 apps. Rather, our fear of the virus and its effect on our world
has meant that most people are unquestioningly accepting the necessity
of using apps to keep the spread of the virus under control.





However, we need to break away from the fear factor and consider the
long-term societal results of any COVID-19 apps. We need to consider
possible consequences weighed up against any benefits. We need to not
only question the short-term need for contact tracing but think of their
long-term use and effect. We need to look at what we are being asked to
give up.





Decisions made today about any tracing or tracking apps will have huge implications for our futures.



Read more here.

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