Data Privacy Advocates Alarmed By NHS’s New ‘Contact-Tracing’ App
As both countries prepare to start unwinding the strict nationwide lockdowns imposed more than 6 weeks ago, the UK and France are collaborating on a new ‘voluntary’ surveillance app purportedly designed to help with ‘contact tracing’ for coronavirus patients.
The Evening Standard reports ministers from both countries have been “liaising” on the development of the new technology, which is expected to be ready within two or three weeks.
But why are the two allies collaborating on building their own ‘surveillance’ app instead of adopting a model proposed by Apple or Google? Well, apparently, British officials felt Apple’s treatment of user privacy was “too cautious”.
The app will use bluetooth to collect data from the phones of everybody one passes; should one of them test positive, a user will be notified.
A consultant to the French government said: “Apple appeared to be much more cautious about protecting client data and privacy than the French or British authorities.”
The smartphone app will track and trace any possibly affected persons near the user. Some have feared its use of Bluetooth could divulge confidential information about people’s locations.
To be sure, Matthew Gould, head of the unit at the NHS that’s in charge of developing the app, has said the location-tracking feature – pretty much the only reason to use the app – would be “opt-in”.
Matthew Gould, head of the NHS unit developing the app, has said the location aspect of the system would be “an opt in” and not compulsory.
“If you want to protect the NHS and stop it being overwhelmed while at the same time want to get the economy moving, the app is going to be part of the essential strategy,” he told the Commons science and technology committee.
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