*UKHotViewsExtra* COVID-19 contact tracing apps: privacy and freedom

Around the world, lockdown measures appear to be proving effective at flattening the curve of new COVID-19 cases, but this obviously comes at a huge social and economic cost. No country has yet devised an effective long-term exit strategy. Many are placing their faith in a vaccine being developed in record time; however, with less than 10% of compounds entering Phase 1 drug trials successfully making it to launch, there is certainly no guarantee we’ll see a COVID-19 vaccine in 2021. So how do we avoid prolonged or repeated cycles of lockdown, reduce the number of infections and get back to something closer to life pre-COVID-19? Contact tracing apps have been suggested as part of the solution, and have already been used in some countries, but how much of our privacy are we willing to give up in return for greater freedoms?

In this UKHotViewsExtra article we explore current use of contact tracing apps and those in development, progress in the UK and the research that underpins it, and asks what trade-offs we would be willing to accept in exchange for a more rapid return to normal life. 

UKHotViews Premium and research subscribers can read COVID-19 contact tracing apps: privacy and freedom now. For more information about TechMarketView's subscription services please contact Deb Seth.

Image source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Posted by: Dale Peters at 07:53

Tags: app   privacy   ethics   covid-19  

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