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Contact Tracing - There's an app for that
Aug. 6th, 2020 03:17 pmIn Ontario, there is now an optional contact tracing app available for download - for those who happen to have an up-to-date smartphone of the right make and model. The feds have endorsed it and supposedly privacy considerations have been front and centre in the rollout. But even if you have the right stuff, is it a good idea to use it? Does it work? What are the pros and cons? The answers may only emerge as usage becomes more widespread. Meanwhile, here's what various folks at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association have to say:
https://ccla.org/contact-tracing-app/
Even though it's optional, will insurance companies, private sector employers and other interested parties start putting enticements into their contracts pressuring clients and employees to download and use it? While it sounds considerably less invasive than some of what's been done with the Internet of Things, I'm still a bit leery of it. Eventually, human rights and civil liberties will no doubt catch up and offer more protection - but "eventually" can be quite a long time compared to the pace of technological developments. The big guy's big step or giant leap forward may be the little guy's collateral damage!
Having said that, my rather jaundiced view of contact tracing is at odds with the direction most of the top brass at CCLA are leaning. And in my case, the point is moot anyway. The cell phone I own is an antique by most people's standards, I only use it to phone people and I plan to hang on to it as long as possible!
https://ccla.org/contact-tracing-app/
Even though it's optional, will insurance companies, private sector employers and other interested parties start putting enticements into their contracts pressuring clients and employees to download and use it? While it sounds considerably less invasive than some of what's been done with the Internet of Things, I'm still a bit leery of it. Eventually, human rights and civil liberties will no doubt catch up and offer more protection - but "eventually" can be quite a long time compared to the pace of technological developments. The big guy's big step or giant leap forward may be the little guy's collateral damage!
Having said that, my rather jaundiced view of contact tracing is at odds with the direction most of the top brass at CCLA are leaning. And in my case, the point is moot anyway. The cell phone I own is an antique by most people's standards, I only use it to phone people and I plan to hang on to it as long as possible!
