Technology & Innovation Update Q3 2020

Data Protection Guide

Travel restrictions and social distancing resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have accelerated the widespread use of technology in business and personal transactions and communications. Most online services and apps require certain personal information for identification purposes. Businesses should beware of the laws relating to collection, processing, retention, sharing and disposal of personal data. On a national level, public health authorities in various jurisdictions have sought to collect and share medical data as part of the effort to combat and contain the spread of the virus. One unanticipated consequence has been the huge increase in the collection of personal data, particularly those relating to infected people's age, gender, occupation, residential address and all the places where they have been during the period leading up to testing positive. Whilst governments may be able to rely on national security or public interest