COVID apps must be sure they are being used for mentioned purpose only, UN human body official
Privacy is a crucial policy facet of contact-tracing programs being developed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it requires to be ensured these apps are used for their stated purpose only, US Net Governance Forum (IGF) Secretariat Head Chengetai Masango said on Monday.
“I’ll just say a single word, privacy. We should make sure that the app and its stated purpose is employed for that, (and) not really by governments, corporations, etc, to determine who you’re speaking with, or where you’re heading,” Masango explained at the BIF-BE’s The Digital Dialogues series on Net Governance.
Facebook Director (Public Insurance policy) Ankhi Das echoed similar opinions.
“I think privacy and surveillance, whether general public or individual, those two are the most important risks. So, purpose limitation is essential and then making sure that you are experiencing transparent disclosures,” she said.
Das noted that there surely is a need for criteria by IGF for the software to operate in a way that it respects human privileges in addition to privacy principles.
With the number of COVID-19 cases going up, several contact-tracing mobile apps have already been introduced globally. Many of these are backed by different governments and national well being firms, and Google and Apple also have designed a framework for such apps.
It has also raised questions around the privacy of individuals’ data that such apps may access, and the potential abuse of such platforms.
Das said COVID-19 has taken home how central internet is becoming for human life.
“Whether it is to remain connected with relatives and buddies or making sure you possess a way to accessing markets, so that despite the monetary contraction which is going on, there exists a way to handle economical well being and take part in trade and commerce,” Das said.
At the same time, it has taken to the fore the importance of continuing to purchase developing public rely upon this important method, she added.
Das said the IGF should, as part of its highway map on digital cooperation, also consider areas like future of commerce (particularly digital trade), blockchain, digital payments, health and contact tracing found in the post-coronavirus era.
