The Ethical and Legal Implications of COVID-19 Track and Trace Systems

This report examines the privacy and security challenges associated with COVID-19 track and trace technologies. It highlights the increasing use of these systems and the subsequent rise in privacy concerns, including data breaches and cyberattacks. The report discusses ethical, legal, and social implications, referencing examples from the UK and other nations. It also explores the role of centralized versus decentralized approaches, and the need for strong cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive personal information. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues to maintain public trust and ensure the effective use of these technologies in managing pandemics.

Computer Systems & Security
COVID-19 Track and Trace Privacy
Issues
The whole world facing an outbreak that
effects the global health and economic
conditions i.e. COVID-19. The virus which
starting to spread from China take a drastic
step as it spread very fast to all other
nations. All the countries made their own
app so that tracking and collecting of
information related to positive tested
persons. In this respect UK launch their
tracking apps i.e. National Health
Service(NHS). But it is found that with
using of these apps people face privacy
issue.
Cyber Security
Dar, A. B. and et. al., 2020. Applicability of
mobile contact tracing in fighting pandemic
(covid-19): Issues, challenges and
solutions. Computer Science Review,
Ethical, legal and social issues
COVID-19 apps raised the ethical, social
and legal issues as they need private
information which have a possibility of
cyberattack. Scientists already warn the
nations when IT companies designed the
COVID-19 apps that it has a possibility of
cyberattack. Cyberattack violates the ethics
and raise the legal and social issues.
Because society wants security and if their
trust is breach then it creates a social issue.
Legal, ethical and social impact on cyber
security incidents: NHS found a hundred of
cyberattacks in the pandemic situation, the
NCSC has defend around 200 cyberattack
in United Kingdom during pandemic
conditions. References
With the increasing in number of tracing
apps of COVID-19 the privacy issues rise
at a very high speed. Different apps have
different demands like they demand
personal data such as name, emails address
and phone number that access the personal
information. From the Nature Medicine
study, it is founded that even encrypted
information was accessed by hackers. So
that's why it is important to UK, US and all
other nations that they should make tight
cyber security and their related laws.
Data Breaches:
Data breaches refers to release of
confidential information in the non-trusted
domain. COVID-19 apps are made to
gather the information to stop the outspread
of virus. But data breaches are going on
even it is unintentional.
Security and privacy issues of modern
technologies
With day to day technological up-gradation
raise the issue of security and privacy
issues. COVID-19 tracking apps trace the
positive person information but it also
leaks the private information of people.
Modern technology gives the luxury
benefits as it reduces the complexity of live
the life but it also gives a threat of privacy.
Because new technologies demand many
private information such as COVID-19
apps. In this regard Singapore, UK and
Australia use a centralized approach so
they overcome with the issue of privacy.